Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment up over last year

Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment up over last year

January 30, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – According to preliminary figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois’ statewide unemployment rate for December 2025 was 4.8%, up from 4.4% in December 2024.

Over the year, non-farm jobs decreased in nine of the state’s metropolitan areas and increased in three.

The Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg area has reported 18 consecutive months of job growth.

CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGE

A church official from Illinois is facing a charge of producing child pornography.

Michael William Mohr, 54, is president of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

The affidavit in support of the complaint alleges that searches of residences used by Mohr revealed cameras disguised as electronic devices and videos of juveniles in the bathroom.

STATE AG GRANTS

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced plans to distribute $3.6 million in grants to support local food processing, aggregation and distribution.

Grants will be available for collaborative projects from $1,000 to $250,000 and for individual projects from $1,000 to $75,000. Eligible entities include businesses with fewer than 50 employees, nonprofits and units of local government.

The funds were appropriated in the 2026 state budget.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Senate, House key leaders briefed ahead of strikes

Senate, House key leaders briefed ahead of strikes

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The Gang of Eight was briefed ahead of the U.S.-Israeli joint strikes against Iran, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson. In a social media post...
Iran retaliates against American bases; State Department issues 'shelter in place'

Iran retaliates against American bases; State Department issues ‘shelter in place’

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. State Department is warning Americans across the Middle East to shelter in place until further notice, following U.S. strikes against Iran overnight, leading...
Pictured is the location where the driver launched his vehicle across the tracks Dukes of Hazard style-photo by Andrea Arens.

Bo and Luke Would be Proud: Track Jump Turns into Tavern Stop in Peotone

By Andrea Arens Somewhere, the Duke boys are slow-clapping. At approximately 2:29 a.m. on Valentine’s Day, a Peotone police officer patrolling near East North and Railroad Streets discovered what can...
Committee-Land Use.Graphic

Land Use Committee: ‘Clean Fill’ Proposal Stalls After Unauthorized Tree Removal Sparks Environmental Concerns

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | February 5, 2026 Article Summary: A request to rezone land for a "clean fill" operation in Joliet Township stalled in committee...
Physicians assistants leave for Iowa due to licensing wait times in Illinois

Physicians assistants leave for Iowa due to licensing wait times in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State lawmakers say physician assistants are leaving for Iowa because it takes so long to get licensed...
Illinois quick hits: Chicago debt deal pushes payments down road

Illinois quick hits: Chicago debt deal pushes payments down road

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago debt deal pushes payments down road Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is reportedly structuring the city’s debt with a deal that...
Republican candidates for governor, U.S. Senate discuss energy, SCOTUS

Republican candidates for governor, U.S. Senate discuss energy, SCOTUS

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Candidates vying for the Republican nomination to take on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker lay out how they’d...
Illinois Quick Hits: Indiana governor signs Bears stadium bill

Illinois Quick Hits: Indiana governor signs Bears stadium bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Bears say they are grateful for the leadership shown by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun after...
Committee-Planning & Zoning.Graphic

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for February 17, 2026

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | February 17, 2026 JOLIET, IL – The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission met on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with Acting Chairman John...
Committee-Ad-Hoc.Graphic

Ad-Hoc Committee: Liquor Ordinance Stalls Over Drafting Errors; Debates License Cap Policy

Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | February 10, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee postponed a vote on the comprehensive update to the...
Screenshot 2026-02-22 at 5.06.42 PM

Board Approves New Chief of Staff and Dean Roles; Trustees Clash Over Hiring Transparency

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | February 18, 2026 Article Summary: The JJC Board approved the appointments of a new Chief of Staff and a Dean of Workforce...
Committee-Executive.Graphic

Green Garden Township Residents Threaten Incorporation to Block 6,000-Acre Solar Farm

Will County Executive Committee Meeting | February 11, 2026 Article Summary: Residents of Green Garden Township warned county officials they are moving to incorporate as a village to gain zoning...
Microsoft hit with IL biometric class action over Teams call transcriptions

Microsoft hit with IL biometric class action over Teams call transcriptions

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Microsoft has been hit with a class action lawsuit under Illinois' stringent biometrics privacy law, potentially worth many millions or even hundreds...
Amended Bears megaproject bill could have major impact on property tax payers

Amended Bears megaproject bill could have major impact on property tax payers

By Jon Styf | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - An Illinois megaproject bill about a new Chicago Bears stadium project passed through a House committee Thursday,...
Illinois Quick Hits: Police report drop in homicide rates in East St. Louis

Illinois Quick Hits: Police report drop in homicide rates in East St. Louis

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State officials are crediting the Public Safety Enforcement Group for East St. Louis reporting its lowest number...