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

Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.52.31 AM

Controversial Immigrant Rights Resolution Postponed by Will County Board After Heated Debate

Will County Executive Committee Meeting October 9, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee voted to indefinitely postpone a contentious resolution titled "Declaring Will County's Commitment to Ensure Communities...
Trump says US troops will get paid Oct. 15 despite funding lapse

Trump says US troops will get paid Oct. 15 despite funding lapse

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Saturday that America's 1.3 million military service members will get paid on Oct. 15 despite a congressional budget lapse that led...
$4.5B awarded in new contracts to build Smart Wall along southwest border

$4.5B awarded in new contracts to build Smart Wall along southwest border

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Roughly $4.5 billion in contracts have been awarded to expand border wall construction, including adding advanced technological surveillance along the southwest border. Ten new construction...
Do No Harm expects FTC to take action to protect minors from transgender procedures

Do No Harm expects FTC to take action to protect minors from transgender procedures

By Tate MillerThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – After submitting comments to the Federal Trade Commission's public inquiry on how the child transgender industry has harmed and deceived...
2024 was deadliest year for journalists on record

2024 was deadliest year for journalists on record

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Last year was the deadliest year for journalists on record, with the Gaza Strip being the deadliest location, according to multiple reports. Totals vary depending...
Govt shutdown raises concerns over national security

Govt shutdown raises concerns over national security

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As partisan divides appear to deepen and prolong the partial government shutdown, bipartisan lawmakers said they are concerned about national security effects of the funding...
Ex-speaker Madigan to begin 7.5-year prison sentence Monday

Ex-speaker Madigan to begin 7.5-year prison sentence Monday

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One day before the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session is scheduled to begin, one of the...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.39.50 AM

Will County’s Gas-to-Energy Plant Reports Nearly $460,000 Net Loss Amid Operational Setbacks

Will County Finance Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: Will County's Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) plant at the county landfill posted a net loss of nearly $460,000 for the...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.36.47 AM

Will County to Draft First-Ever Policy on Artificial Intelligence Use

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board's Capital Improvements & IT Committee has initiated the process of drafting a comprehensive...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.20.18 AM

Will County Sees 50% Drop in Opioid Deaths, But Alarming Rise in Suicides

Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: Will County is experiencing a dramatic 50% reduction in opioid overdose deaths compared to last year, a...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.52.52 AM

Will County Board Backs Effort to Rename ‘Stigmatizing’ Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

Will County Executive Committee Meeting October 9, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board has thrown its support behind a regional effort to rename the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal,...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 12.12.04 PM

Access Will County Dial-a-Ride on Track for Full County-Wide Service in 2026

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Access Will County dial-a-ride program is set for a major expansion in 2026, with plans to...
Trump says new 100% tariff on China as trade war escalates

Trump says new 100% tariff on China as trade war escalates

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Friday said imports from China will face a new 100% tariff "over and above" existing import taxes on the world's second-largest...
Arizona congressman calls for end to government shutdown

Arizona congressman calls for end to government shutdown

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Arizona, wants Democrats to “come to their senses” and end the government shutdown. Hamadeh told The Center Square that Democrats’ reasons...

WATCH: Pritzker continues encouraging ICE protests after Guard blocked

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With the National Guard’s deployment in Illinois for public safety blocked by a federal judge, Gov. J.B....