Illinois is grappling with rising unemployment, which hit 5.3% in August 2023, ranking the state as second highest in the U.S. and above its neighboring states.
Republican state Sen Craig Wilcox has voiced concern over policies in Springfield and Washington, D.C., which he believes are hurting businesses and exacerbating unemployment.
Wilcox emphasized the struggles of small businesses, often overlooked in favor of large corporate layoffs, warning that their struggles are contributing to the rising jobless numbers.
While the state has seen a modest increase of 36,300 jobs over the past year, Illinois lags far behind the national average in job growth.
Furthermore, most job gains have been in state government roles, which Wilcox argues sends a troubling signal about the state’s economic health.
He warns that high unemployment rates often correlate with rising crime rates, particularly in cities like Chicago, and calls for policies that encourage business growth and job creation.
Illinois’ post-pandemic job recovery has been slow, ranking 46th in the nation.
The state has also lost major employers like Caterpillar, Boeing, and Citadel, and continues to experience population decline, with nearly 33,000 residents leaving in 2023, marking the 10th consecutive year of net loss.
Wilcox believes that without more business-friendly policies, these troubling trends are likely to continue.