Grundy Reporter

Illinois is facing challenges in its job market, with the state's unemployment rate reaching 5.2% in December. This figure places Illinois as having the third-highest unemployment rate in the country, trailing only California and Nevada. The national unemployment rate stood at 4.1% during the same period.

In 2024, Illinois added 56,000 jobs; however, this growth represents a rate of just 0.92%, which falls short of the national average growth rate of 1.42%. While there were gains in government jobs and private education and health services within the state, sectors such as manufacturing and finance experienced declines.

The recovery from the pandemic remains weak for Illinois, ranking it 46th nationwide with only a 0.25% increase in jobs since January 2020. Contributing factors to this sluggish economic performance include high taxes, a challenging business environment, and rising housing costs.

State Senator Sue Rezin has suggested that comprehensive tax reform and fiscal responsibility are essential to revitalize Illinois' job market. She emphasized "the need to lower taxes, simplify regulations," and address budgetary and pension issues to provide relief for businesses and working families. According to Rezin, these measures could help foster job growth, attract skilled workers, and restore economic vitality to Illinois.