Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment rises again; growth continues in Champaign
(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.
Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Lincoln-Way 210 Advances Summer Site Improvements and Asbestos Abatement Projects
Lawmaker criticizes surplus spending bill
Salvation Army rehab ‘enrollees’ who work at thrift stores aren’t ‘employees’
Student suspended for pro-ICE flyer while NEA spends $1.7M to help anti-ICE protests
Evers vetoes bills to exempt overtime, cash tips from income tax
Illinois housing affordability efforts pit tax cuts against new spending
Report: AAMC’s claims that patients are better treated by doctor of same race debunked
Coloradans react to ruling against ban on conversion therapy
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago city workers owe more than $19M
JJC Board Prepares for 2028 Bond Expiration, Advances Grundy Campus Despite Objections
Attorney expects conversion therapy ruling to impact Illinois ban
White House govt funding request for 2027 cuts $73 billion
