January 30, 2026/

Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment up over last year

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

First lawsuit filed against Camp Mystic by parents of five campers, two counselors

First lawsuit filed against Camp Mystic by parents of five campers, two counselors

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The first lawsuit was filed Monday against Camp Mystic by parents whose daughters were killed on July 4 when a flash flood ripped through two...
Senate votes to reopen government, sending funding bills to House

Senate votes to reopen government, sending funding bills to House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After spending nearly seven weeks in a political deadlock, U.S. senators finally passed legislation to end the record-long government shutdown. Eight senators in the Democratic...
Illinois quick hits: Bailey to stay in governor's race

Illinois quick hits: Bailey to stay in governor’s race

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Bailey to stay in governor's race Republican candidate Darren Bailey has decided to stay in the race for Illinois governor. In...
Airlines warn flight reductions could cost U.S. economy

Airlines warn flight reductions could cost U.S. economy

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Flight delays and cancelations are frustrating Americans and could be costing the U.S. economy millions of dollars each day, according to a new report from...
Report: Less than half of CPS students performing at grade level

Report: Less than half of CPS students performing at grade level

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Policy Institute policy analyst Hannah Schmid is sounding the alarm about the state’s dimming prospects...

WATCH: IL comptroller candidates focus on transparency, timely reporting

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Transparency is a key talking point for Illinois comptroller candidates. One Republican and five Democrats have filed...
With shutdown ending, debate on Obamacare subsidies to begin

With shutdown ending, debate on Obamacare subsidies to begin

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square As Congress moves to reopen the federal government this week, debate is shifting toward how to pay for the federal health care programs that helped...
Democratic senators under fire explain why they supported GOP bill to end shutdown

Democratic senators under fire explain why they supported GOP bill to end shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After breaking from the rest of the Democratic Caucus to help Republicans advance a deal that would end the government shutdown, the eight U.S. senators...
FDA to remove ‘black box’ warnings on menopausal hormone therapies

FDA to remove ‘black box’ warnings on menopausal hormone therapies

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is removing the “black box” warnings from hormone replacement therapy products for menopause, health administration officials announced Monday. A...
Giannoulias ramps up campaign for state regulation of auto premiums

Giannoulias ramps up campaign for state regulation of auto premiums

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has expanded his campaign to regulate auto insurance rates. Giannoulias visited...
Trump demands air traffic controllers return to work

Trump demands air traffic controllers return to work

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After a reduction of up to 10% of flights in and out of the nation’s top airports, causing major travel disruptions, President Donald Trump is...
Analysis: Trump's proposed tariff rebate would cost twice as much as tariffs

Analysis: Trump’s proposed tariff rebate would cost twice as much as tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump has again floated the idea of sending Americans $2,000 from tariff revenue, but a new analysis suggests the import taxes won't bring...
Trump pardons 77 people linked to 2020 presidential election challenge

Trump pardons 77 people linked to 2020 presidential election challenge

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump issued a proclamation providing pardons for a slew of people accused of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential elections, including Rudy Giuliani...
Supreme Court agrees to hear election law challenge

Supreme Court agrees to hear election law challenge

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a case challenging state laws that allow ballots to be counted if they are received after...
Supreme Court declines to hear same-sex marriage challenge

Supreme Court declines to hear same-sex marriage challenge

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined a petition on Monday to hear a case aimed at overturning the legalization of same-sex marriage. Kim Davis, a former...