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 →
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 16 at 2:44AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 15
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
72° 55°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

💨 10 to 20 mph 💧 71%
Data: National Weather Service • Updated Jun 16, 3:53 AM Full Forecast →
Site Sections

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Pritzker pushes back on Megaproject tax concerns

Pritzker pushes back on Megaproject tax concerns

By Sean Reed | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker pushed back on the idea that proposed legislation, dubbed the “Megaprojects Bill,”...
Measles spreads across some Southwestern states

Measles spreads across some Southwestern states

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square The area along the Arizona and Utah border is continuing to see the measles outbreak that started in August, and California and Colorado have seen...
EXCLUSIVE: Inside one Michigan town's fight against solar expansion

EXCLUSIVE: Inside one Michigan town’s fight against solar expansion

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square In Fayette Township in southwest Michigan, a series of utility-scale solar projects has drawn hundreds of residents to local meetings and sparked a grassroots campaign...
Trump demands unconditional surrender from Iran, mentions regime change

Trump demands unconditional surrender from Iran, mentions regime change

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump has said he will accept nothing less from Iran than unconditional surrender, according to a social media post on Friday morning. “There...
Illinois pols react to Homeland Security secretary’s exit, reassignment

Illinois pols react to Homeland Security secretary’s exit, reassignment

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A member of Congress from Illinois says it is not enough for President Donald Trump to fire...
Illinois quick hits: Appeals court vacates use of force injunction; Charges filed for possession of sex abuse materials; Gas prices keep rising

Illinois quick hits: Appeals court vacates use of force injunction; Charges filed for possession of sex abuse materials; Gas prices keep rising

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Appeals court vacates use of force injunction The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has vacated U.S. District Court Judge Sara...
U.S. cut 92,000 jobs in 'dismal' February report, unemployment 4.4%

U.S. cut 92,000 jobs in ‘dismal’ February report, unemployment 4.4%

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, a significant cut after January saw a better-than-expected report, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The...
Will County Board Federal Agenda

Board Splits Along Party Lines to Approve 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda

Will County Board Meeting | February 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board adopted its 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda in a 10-9 vote, establishing the county's priorities for lobbying efforts...
Turmoil in Texas: Concerns for Paxton to drop out, Gonzales drops reelection bid

Turmoil in Texas: Concerns for Paxton to drop out, Gonzales drops reelection bid

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Within two days of the March primary election, two high-profile races are already in turmoil. Republican leaders are taking actions to keep the seats red,...
HHS and DOC announce nutrition education initiative for medical schools

HHS and DOC announce nutrition education initiative for medical schools

By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square Nutrition education for medical students will become more prominent in curriculum beginning this upcoming fall. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F....
Target sued for checking arrest records of new hires: Class action

Target sued for checking arrest records of new hires: Class action

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square CHICAGO — Target has been hit by a new class action lawsuit accusing it of violating Illinois state law by conducting criminal...
Farm bill, with changes, heads to U.S. House for vote

Farm bill, with changes, heads to U.S. House for vote

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After more than 22 hours of debate, the Agriculture Committee in the House of Representatives voted early Thursday morning to advance the Farm, Food, and...
Agency improves license processing times; PA leader calls for modernization

Agency improves license processing times; PA leader calls for modernization

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation says it has reduced the average processing time for...
These are the members of Congress who voted against disclosing sexual harassment claims

These are the members of Congress who voted against disclosing sexual harassment claims

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Nearly all members of Congress, 357 Republicans and Democrats, don’t want taxpayers to know which members have used taxpayer funds to pay sexual harassment claims....
House Republicans re-pass DHS funding bill in symbolic vote

House Republicans re-pass DHS funding bill in symbolic vote

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House re-passed the 2026 Homeland Security funding bill in a symbolic vote Thursday, amping up pressure on Democrats as DHS remains shuttered while...