Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate remains more than 5%

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced on Thursday that the state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.1% in May.

The number is 0.7 percentage point higher than it was one year ago, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Total nonfarm payrolls saw a third consecutive over-the-month increase in May, up 6,000 to 6.2 million.

DAMAGE SURVEYED AFTER WEDNESDAY STORMS

Teams are surveying damage after severe thunderstorms pounded parts of central and southern Illinois on Wednesday.

There were reports of tornadoes, including one in the Effingham area, along with wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour, hail as large as three inches in diameter and localized flooding.

FEDS ALLEGE SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD IN PADUCAH

Federal agents have charged eight people who were in the United States illegally with using stolen Social Security numbers to work at a window supply business just across the Illinois border in Paducah, Kentucky.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations arrested 13 foreign nationals during the operation, including eight who were indicted for fraudulently using Social Security numbers between June 2021 and August 2025.

ICE said in a statement that the individuals who were not charged criminally will be held pending removal proceedings and potential deportation.

NEW JUDICIAL COLLEGE DIRECTOR NAMED

The Illinois Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts have announced that Jerome Galang will be the new director of the Illinois Judicial College.

Galang most recently worked as assistant division director at the Federal Judicial Center and previously served eight years in the Judicial Education Division and Judicial College Division of the AOIC.

The Illinois Judicial College serves as the primary vehicle for the planning, development and provision of educational programs and training on behalf of the state Supreme Court.

IHSA BOARD OUTLINES SHOT CLOCK MANDATE

The Illinois High School Association Board has finalized expectations that require schools to have a 35-second shot clock for varsity boys and girls basketball games, starting with the 2026-27 IHSA season.

The IHSA says if a shot clock is not installed or properly mounted, the host school must secure an alternate facility or allow the opponent to host the contest.

The shot clock is optional for junior varsity and other lower-level games.