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

Music, drama teacher sues Catholic HS over ‘anti-gay’ discrimination

Music, drama teacher sues Catholic HS over ‘anti-gay’ discrimination

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A gay man who was fired from the position of music and theater director at Marquette High School in Alton has filed...
Fed charges: Yemeni, Haitian nationals stole millions in SNAP benefits

Fed charges: Yemeni, Haitian nationals stole millions in SNAP benefits

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square It’s not just Somalians in Minnesota charged in a widescale scheme to defraud taxpayer-funded federal welfare programs. Haitian and Yemeni immigrants have also been charged...
Illinois Quick Hits: IDPH accountability officer fired

Illinois Quick Hits: IDPH accountability officer fired

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The former chief grant accountability officer for the Illinois Department of Public Health is being held accountable...
Los Angeles County considers creating ICE-free zones

Los Angeles County considers creating ICE-free zones

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated since its initial publication to include a comment from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Los Angeles County...
States sue feds over gender ideology rules on health grants

States sue feds over gender ideology rules on health grants

By Dave MasonThe Center Square New York, California and Oregon are leading 12 states suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over allegedly threatening to withhold billions of...
Johnson expects on-time passage of all govt funding bills as two more head to floor

Johnson expects on-time passage of all govt funding bills as two more head to floor

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Congress has less than a month to pass the remaining appropriations bills providing fiscal 2026 funding for federal agencies, but House Republicans are convinced it’s...

WATCH: Advocates urge action on trans sports ban

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square While justices in the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday over whether state laws banning transgender people from participating in women’s sports were unconstitutional, advocates...
Advocacy groups praise Trump admin’s healthcare price transparency commitment

Advocacy groups praise Trump admin’s healthcare price transparency commitment

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The Trump administration’s commitment to healthcare price transparency has been met by praise from advocacy groups, with the organizations stating such a move is “imperative”...
Trump: Chicago crime is down in spite of 'incompetent' Pritzker

Trump: Chicago crime is down in spite of ‘incompetent’ Pritzker

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump says crime in Chicago would go down virtually 100% if not for Gov. J.B....
‘Put politics aside’ to support no tax on tips, Illinois Democrat says

‘Put politics aside’ to support no tax on tips, Illinois Democrat says

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Democratic state legislator is looking to bring the federal no tax on tips policy to the...
Former 'Vegas' coroner seeks county administrator job after journalist's murder

Former ‘Vegas’ coroner seeks county administrator job after journalist’s murder

By Arthur KaneThe Center Square Retired Clark County Coroner P. Michael Murphy, who was brought in to fix the county's public administrator's office right before the then-administrator murdered a newspaper...

WATCH: U.S. Supreme Court weighs trans sports ban

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in two cases over whether biological males can participate in women's and girls’ sports. Little v. Hecox and...
House Republicans unveil framework for second 'big, beautiful bill'

House Republicans unveil framework for second ‘big, beautiful bill’

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Just six months after Republicans in Congress passed their mammoth budget reconciliation bill, House Republicans are publicly pushing for a second ‘big, beautiful bill.’ Confirming...
Pritzker: State will not build stadium for Bears

Pritzker: State will not build stadium for Bears

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says the state will not build a stadium for the Chicago Bears. Pritzker...
California doctor indicted in Louisiana for sending abortion pills

California doctor indicted in Louisiana for sending abortion pills

By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square Louisiana has indicted a California physician with allegedly sending abortion pills to the state and is seeking his return to face charges, Attorney General Liz...