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

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

Spread the love

(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

Homan threatens crackdown if New York limits ICE cooperation

Homan threatens crackdown if New York limits ICE cooperation

By Chris WadeThe Center Square President Donald Trump's immigration czar Tom Holman is renewing threats to "flood the zone" in New York if state lawmakers approve Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan...
Feds sue Colorado over ban on certain firearm magazines

Feds sue Colorado over ban on certain firearm magazines

By Derek DraplinThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Colorado for its ban on firearm magazines that hold more than 15 rounds. The...
Group calls for clear lines of authority after UVA member’s communications released

Group calls for clear lines of authority after UVA member’s communications released

By Tate MillerThe Center Square An education defense group is calling for clear lines of authority to be codified after text messages between a University of Virginia faculty member and...
States pushing back on data center sales tax breaks as Wisconsin forgoes $1.5B

States pushing back on data center sales tax breaks as Wisconsin forgoes $1.5B

By Jon StyfThe Center Square While those supporting sales tax breaks for data center projects say they believe the breaks are necessary to compete for projects amongst the 38 states...
Midwest takes brunt of rising gas prices

Midwest takes brunt of rising gas prices

By David Beasley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Midwestern states, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan in particular, were hit harder in the past week by...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago police sergeant charged with COVID relief fraud

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago police sergeant charged with COVID relief fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Chicago police sergeant has been charged with fraudulently obtaining more than $41,000 in small business loans...
Democrats hold Michigan Senate majority with special election win in District 35

Democrats hold Michigan Senate majority with special election win in District 35

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Democrat Chedrick Greene won the special election in Michigan’s 35th Senate District by a wide margin Tuesday night, preserving Democrats’ narrow majority in the chamber....
Appeals court splits over ICE detention of illegal immigrants without bond

Appeals court splits over ICE detention of illegal immigrants without bond

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A panel of federal appeals court judges continues to agree that a Chicago federal judge overstepped his authority in ordering the en...
Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Incumbent U.S. House candidates from Indiana held on to party nominations Tuesday, despite intense pressure from challengers. District 4 Rep. Jim Baird survived a primary...
Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Ohio voters elected party representatives for governor, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The election was the first since the Ohio legislature...
'Project Freedom' paused while U.S., Iran try to negotiate a deal

‘Project Freedom’ paused while U.S., Iran try to negotiate a deal

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than a day after its implementation, “Project Freedom,” a U.S. operation to safely escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, has been put...
Colorado House votes for credit card fee reduction

Colorado House votes for credit card fee reduction

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Legislation to reduce credit card fees on purchases is a step closer to final passage in Colorado with proponents saying it will help small businesses...
Rubio confirms Epic Fury over; U.S. responding defensively in Strait of Hormuz

Rubio confirms Epic Fury over; U.S. responding defensively in Strait of Hormuz

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday afternoon that Operation Epic Fury was concluded – similar to what the president has said in his communications...
Department of Employment Security faces questions about fraud recoveries

Department of Employment Security faces questions about fraud recoveries

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security says his agency has changed its processes in...
Poll: Majority of voters dissatisfied with economy, prices

Poll: Majority of voters dissatisfied with economy, prices

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square More than half of Americans said they are at least somewhat dissatisfied with the overall economy, according to a new poll. The poll, conducted by...