Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment rises again; growth continues in Champaign

Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment rises again; growth continues in Champaign

May 7, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The unemployment rate in Illinois has risen to 5.2%, according to data released onThursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

The state’s March unemployment rate is up from 5.0% reported for February.

The Champaign-Urbana metropolitan area, however, saw its 14th consecutive month of year-over-year job growth.

UTILITY TRANSPARENCY BILL ADVANCES WITH CAVEAT

The Illinois Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee has passed a utility charge transparency measure after the bill sponsor in the Senate promised an amendment.

House Bill 5524 requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to maintain a website detailing electric charges and the amounts from those charges that are remitted to the state or retained by the utility.

State Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, said she would hold the bill on second reading as conversations continue.

TREASURER ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN STATE RETIREMENT PROGRAM

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs has announced transition plans for the state’s retirement savings program for private-sector workers.

Frerichs said Illinois Secure Choice will become My Illinois Savings next month and will feature lower fees and technology improvements.

The treasurer’s office said no contributions, withdrawals or transactions will be processed during the transition from 3 p.m. on June 11 through June 14.

STATE FAIR TO HOST FREE CONCERT WITH .38 SPECIAL

The Illinois State Fair has scheduled a free concert with southern rock band .38 Special on Aug. 17. No ticket is required, but attendees must go through security screening before entering the grandstand.

Gates open at 7 p.m. on Aug. 17. The state fair is scheduled from Aug. 13-23.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois officials say Bears still may stay despite team statement

Illinois officials say Bears still may stay despite team statement

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although the Chicago Bears say the team’s board of directors moved to advance plans for a stadium...
More than 60% of Minnesota high-risk Medicaid providers fail review

More than 60% of Minnesota high-risk Medicaid providers fail review

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Nearly two-thirds of Minnesota's high-risk Medicaid providers have had taxpayer funding paused following a federally-mandated review process that state officials say was necessary to protect...
Senate sends $70B bill funding ICE, border patrol to vacant House

Senate sends $70B bill funding ICE, border patrol to vacant House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans finally passed their roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill after an 18-hour vote-a-rama that ended early Friday morning. The 52-47 final...
Chicago Bears to advance stadium project in Indiana

Chicago Bears to advance stadium project in Indiana

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Bears are moving forward with plans to build a stadium in Northwest Indiana. Bears Chairman...
Greer, Carr commended for seeking fairness in EU treatment of US tech firms

Greer, Carr commended for seeking fairness in EU treatment of US tech firms

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Public Policy Solutions sent a letter Friday to United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer and Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr commending both men...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker pauses data center tax credits

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker pauses data center tax credits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker pauses data center tax credits Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to pause...
U.S. adds 172k jobs in 'strong' May report, unemployment remains at 4.3%

U.S. adds 172k jobs in ‘strong’ May report, unemployment remains at 4.3%

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. economy added 172,000 jobs in May's better-than-expected report while the unemployment rate remained at 4.3%, according to data released Friday by the U.S....
Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry

Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The United States has about 20 years to change course on its national debt before it reaches the estimated limits of its debt capacity, according...
Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued

Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Colorado Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a Democrat-backed bill on Wednesday that would have allowed citizens to sue immigration enforcement officers for civil rights violations. The...
Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square It will be more than a month before Californians see the official results from Tuesday's primary. That is especially the case in the races for...

WATCH: WA mayor stands by pro-ICE, anti-Antifa proclamations

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The city of Battle Ground has been getting more attention this week than the small southwest Washington community typically receives, due to national coverage of...
U.S. House narrowly passes bill to fund USDA, FDA in 2027

U.S. House narrowly passes bill to fund USDA, FDA in 2027

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Less than four months before fiscal year 2027 begins, the U.S. House passed the second of the 12 annual appropriations bills that will fund the...
Military advocates concerned about active-duty voters

Military advocates concerned about active-duty voters

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court could eliminate grace periods for mail-in ballots for overseas voters, officials from voting rights advocacy organizations said on Thursday. In a...
Ruling: Illinois Supreme Court likely overstepped in ousting of Cook County judge

Ruling: Illinois Supreme Court likely overstepped in ousting of Cook County judge

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal judge says he believes a Cook County judge has leveled serious accusations against the Illinois Supreme Court for trampling his...
Illinois passes law to restrict new federal migrant detention centers

Illinois passes law to restrict new federal migrant detention centers

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers passed a bill last weekend that will heavily restrict where immigration detention centers can operate in...