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.

More Stories
Weather Full forecast →
Today Jul 23
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
79° 61°

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy

💨 0 to 5 mph 💧 10%
Data: National Weather Service • Updated Jul 24, 6:32 AM Full Forecast →
Site Sections

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Trump hits 60 nations with forced-labor tariffs

Trump hits 60 nations with forced-labor tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Trump administration imposed forced-labor tariffs on 60 trading partners Thursday, covering most U.S. imports, but did not say what the duties will cost American...
Illinois news in brief: Year-over-year unemployment rates rise; Judge gives Rockford woman six months for stealing from booster club; Chicago Fed's National Activity index rises

Illinois news in brief: Year-over-year unemployment rates rise; Judge gives Rockford woman six months for stealing from booster club; Chicago Fed’s National Activity index rises

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Year-over-year unemployment rates rise According to data released on Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department...
Voters say economy rigged for wealthy as Trump earns low marks

Voters say economy rigged for wealthy as Trump earns low marks

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A majority of American voters, including more than 4 in 10 Republicans, say the economy is rigged to favor the wealthy, according to a new...
Parents challenge special ed regulation for private schools, seek SCOTUS review

Parents challenge special ed regulation for private schools, seek SCOTUS review

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Two Massachusetts families have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether the state can deny certain special education services to children whose parents choose...
Trump: Data center boom will lower Americans’ energy costs

Trump: Data center boom will lower Americans’ energy costs

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square More data centers will actually mean lower energy costs for most Americans under one of the Trump administration's initiatives, according to President Donald Trump. The...
Election 2026: Third day of filing for Graham’s seat remains quiet

Election 2026: Third day of filing for Graham’s seat remains quiet

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Thursday’s third day of filing in South Carolina’s special election Republican primary for the U.S. Senate remained quiet. According to the South Carolina Elections Commission...
White House has extra asks for stalled federal highway bill

White House has extra asks for stalled federal highway bill

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With Congress facing a deadline in two months to renew funding for transportation infrastructure nationwide, the Trump administration is urging lawmakers to codify its list...
Carolina, Virginia Tech chosen for fellowship program by War Department

Carolina, Virginia Tech chosen for fellowship program by War Department

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Carolina and Virginia Tech have succeeded Ivy League institutions War Department Secretary Pete Hegseth says are “woke breeding grounds of toxic indoctrination” in being chosen...
Future regional power supply down, but not out

Future regional power supply down, but not out

By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Shrinking power supply remains a challenge according to the grid operator’s most recent capacity auction, signaling...
Exclusive: USDA distributing loans to Oregon, Nevada sawmills to expand timber production

Exclusive: USDA distributing loans to Oregon, Nevada sawmills to expand timber production

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Sawmills in Oregon and Nevada will be receiving $80 million in federally guaranteed loans to increase American timber production, the Department of Agriculture shared exclusively...
Lawsuit claims digital asset tax is unconstitutional

Lawsuit claims digital asset tax is unconstitutional

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a lawsuit filed in Sangamon County court, a new, first-in-the-nation digital asset tax in Illinois...
Minnesotan will spend life in prison for deaths of House speaker, husband

Minnesotan will spend life in prison for deaths of House speaker, husband

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The Minnesotan convicted of attacking lawmakers last year, killing House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, will spend the rest of his life in...
Minnesota wins dismissal of federal lawsuit over immigration detainers

Minnesota wins dismissal of federal lawsuit over immigration detainers

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota has won a legal battle against the Trump administration over immigration detainers after a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the administration. The...
Bipartisan commission votes to release report on former rep's misconduct

Bipartisan commission votes to release report on former rep’s misconduct

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission voted unanimously Thursday to release an investigative report from the Legislative Inspector...
Shah, Feely to face off in battleground House race

Shah, Feely to face off in battleground House race

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Amish Shah and Jay Feely will face off for Arizona's first congressional district seat in November. The race is seen as one of the most...