Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment up over last year

Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment up over last year

January 30, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – According to preliminary figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois’ statewide unemployment rate for December 2025 was 4.8%, up from 4.4% in December 2024.

Over the year, non-farm jobs decreased in nine of the state’s metropolitan areas and increased in three.

The Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg area has reported 18 consecutive months of job growth.

CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGE

A church official from Illinois is facing a charge of producing child pornography.

Michael William Mohr, 54, is president of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

The affidavit in support of the complaint alleges that searches of residences used by Mohr revealed cameras disguised as electronic devices and videos of juveniles in the bathroom.

STATE AG GRANTS

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced plans to distribute $3.6 million in grants to support local food processing, aggregation and distribution.

Grants will be available for collaborative projects from $1,000 to $250,000 and for individual projects from $1,000 to $75,000. Eligible entities include businesses with fewer than 50 employees, nonprofits and units of local government.

The funds were appropriated in the 2026 state budget.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Debt confidence hits two-year low amid affordability concerns

Debt confidence hits two-year low amid affordability concerns

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans' confidence in the nation's finances fell to a two-year low in May as the national debt again surpassed the size of the U.S. economy,...
Candidates debate healthcare for Nevada primary

Candidates debate healthcare for Nevada primary

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Editor's note: This is part of a series previewing the congressional and statewide races in the Nevada primary election, set for June 9. The election...
ExxonMobil shareholders approve plan to redomicile to Texas

ExxonMobil shareholders approve plan to redomicile to Texas

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square ExxonMobil shareholders on Wednesday approved the board of directors’ plan to redomicile the company's legal headquarters to Texas. Shareholders also rejected a proposal made by...
U.S., Iran may be on the cusp of tentative ceasefire extension

U.S., Iran may be on the cusp of tentative ceasefire extension

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A memorandum of understanding has been reached between U.S. and Iranian negotiators, pending approval from President Donald Trump and Iranian leadership, according to reports. The...
Pritzker indicates he'll sign new insurance regulations

Pritzker indicates he’ll sign new insurance regulations

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign two bills headed to his desk that give the state...
Election 2026: For one of the four seats, trouble brews

Election 2026: For one of the four seats, trouble brews

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Texas hasn’t elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988, Kentucky since 1992, Louisiana and North Carolina since 2008. Respectively, outgoing Republican Sens. John...
Treasury reveals how to sign up for Trump Accounts on new app

Treasury reveals how to sign up for Trump Accounts on new app

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the launch of the Trump Accounts app Thursday, kicking off the registration process for citizens and permanent residents...
Republicans claim fake transparency in early budget, demand better

Republicans claim fake transparency in early budget, demand better

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – At the height of state budget negotiations, Republican lawmakers have said Democrat leaders have again pulled their...
Ceasefire in question as U.S. accuses Iran of violations

Ceasefire in question as U.S. accuses Iran of violations

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The future of the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has come into question following the second exchange of fire between the countries in less...
Supreme Court rules against prison sentence reductions

Supreme Court rules against prison sentence reductions

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in two separate cases on Thursday, ruled against convicted individuals seeking to reduce their prison sentences. The high court ruled in...
Illinois may take DOJ ‘Anti-Weaponization’ payouts from residents

Illinois may take DOJ ‘Anti-Weaponization’ payouts from residents

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker wants to create a law that would allow the state to take any funds...
Supreme Court rules in favor of racially biased jury claims

Supreme Court rules in favor of racially biased jury claims

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision on Thursday, ruled in favor of an Black man convicted of capital murder in Mississippi, who said...
Poll: Voters have unfavorable opinions of Owens, Shapiro, Kirk, Pratt

Poll: Voters have unfavorable opinions of Owens, Shapiro, Kirk, Pratt

By Jon StyfThe Center Square American taxpayers have a heavily unfavorable opinion of Candace Owens, Ben Shapiro and Erika Kirk but Los Angeles Mayor candidate Spencer Pratt was barely underwater...
Illinois Quick Hits: Waukegan official charted with casting dead mother's ballot

Illinois Quick Hits: Waukegan official charted with casting dead mother’s ballot

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Waukegan alderman has been arrested and charged with a felony after she allegedly used her dead...
Top Illinois diversity commissioner did not disclose side pay

Top Illinois diversity commissioner did not disclose side pay

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- The chairperson of Illinois' diversity commission has been earning thousands of dollars each year from her former...