Illinois news in brief: Year-over-year unemployment rates rise; Judge gives Rockford woman six months for stealing from booster club; Chicago Fed's National Activity index rises

Illinois news in brief: Year-over-year unemployment rates rise; Judge gives Rockford woman six months for stealing from booster club; Chicago Fed’s National Activity index rises

July 23, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Year-over-year unemployment rates rise

According to data released on Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security for the year ending on June 30, 2026, the unemployment rate increased in 78 Illinois counties, decreased in 13 and was unchanged in 11. Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the state’s twelve metro areas included government in ten areas, and private education and health services in eight areas.

Judge gives Rockford woman six months for stealing from booster club

A former booster club treasurer in Rockford has been sentenced to six months in prison for embezzling more than $44,000. Prosecutors said Shondra McLarty, 55, of Rockton embezzled and stole money from the Tumbling and Acro Boosters club from 2023 to 2024. McLarty was ordered to pay full restitution.

Chicago Fed’s National Activity index rises

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s National Activity Index climbed to –0.02 in June from –0.19 in May, suggesting economic growth increased. The index is a weighted average of 85 indicators of growth in national economic activity.

Governor signs Emmett Till Day legislation

July 25 is now Emmett Till Day in Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 4323 on Thursday at the Chicago church where Till’s funeral was held in 1955. Till was born in Chicago in 1941 and grew up in Summit, but he was lynched and killed in Mississippi. State Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet, D-Chicago, said the day is bittersweet because of Till’s unjust murder and the justice system’s failure to hold those responsible accountable but hopeful because future generations will learn Till’s story.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

DEA warns fentanyl mixtures overwhelming overdose reversal drug

DEA warns fentanyl mixtures overwhelming overdose reversal drug

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration warned Americans Tuesday that fentanyl is increasingly mixed with a dangerous array of synthetic substances that can limit the effectiveness...
Cook County must pay for taking homes over unpaid property tax: Judge

Cook County must pay for taking homes over unpaid property tax: Judge

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Cook County could be on the hook for at least tens of millions of dollars, if not more than $100 million, to...
Chicago aldermen consider $54.7M tax break for United Center project

Chicago aldermen consider $54.7M tax break for United Center project

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council may consider a $54.7 million property tax break for owners of the Chicago...
Farmers call for fertilizer price transparency, domestic growth

Farmers call for fertilizer price transparency, domestic growth

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Farmers and advocates on Tuesday called on Congress to implement transparency reporting requirements in fertilizer pricing. The U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee held...
Major nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown, more than 80 firearms seized

Major nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown, more than 80 firearms seized

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Trump administration continues to crack down on violent Tren de Aragua Venezuelan prison gang members after they flooded the country during the Biden administration....
Illinois Quick Hits: State taxpayers to cover student loan debt for civil engineers

Illinois Quick Hits: State taxpayers to cover student loan debt for civil engineers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that the state will pay $15,000 of eligible student loan...
WATCH: Ex-rep sues Pritzker, Illinois over race-based congressional map

WATCH: Ex-rep sues Pritzker, Illinois over race-based congressional map

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ congressional district map is being challenged over what some argue are unconstitutional racial requirements for districts....
Lawmakers tussle over impacts of ‘equitable’ school funding in Illinois

Lawmakers tussle over impacts of ‘equitable’ school funding in Illinois

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The evidence-based funding formula for public schools in Illinois, signed into law in 2017, was under the...
Illinois Quick Hits: $42.6M UIS student library on schedule

Illinois Quick Hits: $42.6M UIS student library on schedule

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Capital Development Board says a $42.6 million state taxpayer-funded library project is on schedule at...
Will County Board Graphic.04

State Legislative Update: Housing Mandates, Mega Projects, and Data Centers Prompt Local Control Concerns

Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryState lobbyists from Mac Strategies briefed the Will County Board Legislative Committee on the final push of the spring...
Data center regs proposed as $20 billion, 795-acre Joliet project advances

Data center regs proposed as $20 billion, 795-acre Joliet project advances

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Opponents of a planned $20 billion data center project in Joliet say big tech money arrived before...
Labor stats offer mixed bag for Illinois

Labor stats offer mixed bag for Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Trump administration says the United States saw smashing job growth in April, but Illinois’ story is...
Lawsuit: IL state VRA unconstitutionally lets Dems divide voters by race

Lawsuit: IL state VRA unconstitutionally lets Dems divide voters by race

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Days after the U.S. Supreme Court declared states cannot use race to decide how to draw legislative districts, a new lawsuit is...
Illinois Quick Hits: State grants offered to tackle 'challenging' properties

Illinois Quick Hits: State grants offered to tackle ‘challenging’ properties

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Housing Development Authority is accepting grant funding applications from local governments to address abandoned and...
Officers mourn fallen Chicago cop as policy debate grows

Officers mourn fallen Chicago cop as policy debate grows

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the country gathered in Chicago to honor a fallen...