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

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

May 21, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the state’s unemployment rate was unchanged last month at 5.1%, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The number of unemployed persons in April was up 0.8% from March, and up 12.7% over the same month one year ago.

The national unemployment rate for April was 4.3%.

HIGHER SUMMER ELECTRIC PRICES START JUNE 1

The Citizens Utility Board says Ameren and ComEd customers can expect higher electricity bills after summer supply rates kick in next month.

CUB said Ameren’s summer rate is more than 29% higher than its current price, and ComEd’s summer price represents a roughly 50% increase over two years ago.

ComEd said customers could pay an average of 12% more on their monthly bills.

MIDWAY BLITZ INDICTMENT

A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging a Chicago man with using his vehicle to assault a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent during Operation Midway Blitz last October.

Diego Emmanuel Reyes, 21, is accused of ramming his SUV into the ICE officer’s vehicle and pushing the vehicle forward.

If convicted, Reyes faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

LANES TO REOPEN FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

The Illinois Department of Transportation says lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen where possible for Memorial Day weekend.

IDOT says non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. on Friday, to 11:59 p.m. Monday,

LINCOLN LOG CABIN SITE TO WELCOME VINTAGE BASEBALL

The Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site in Coles County is hosting a 19th century-style baseball game and picnic on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Admission is free.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Taxpayer risk cited after Bears stadium bill stalls

Taxpayer risk cited after Bears stadium bill stalls

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Bears stadium legislation is stalled after questions arose about a potentially unpopular tax structure and financial...
Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly approves CTE bill

Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly approves CTE bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bill offering career technical education classes as an alternative to Illinois’ foreign language mandate is headed...
Amended scooter, e-bike bill heads to governor

Amended scooter, e-bike bill heads to governor

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill to regulate e-bikes, scooters and other micromobility devices, but...
Washington insiders: Social media more influential than traditional media, but few trust it

Washington insiders: Social media more influential than traditional media, but few trust it

By ByTom JoyceThe Center Square Social media has passed traditional media in influence among Washington policy and political insiders, according to a new survey. However, few of those insiders trust...
Ceasefire being tested as U.S., Iran continue to exchange fire

Ceasefire being tested as U.S., Iran continue to exchange fire

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square For the third time in a little over a week, the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire, adding more strain to the nearly two-month-long ceasefire. U.S....
Supreme Court declines to hear COVID-19 vaccine case

Supreme Court declines to hear COVID-19 vaccine case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a case challenging Washington state's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. The case, Curtis v. Inslee,...
Supreme Court agrees to hear prisoner release case

Supreme Court agrees to hear prisoner release case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a case over whether a federal prisoner can petition to expedite a prison sentence under federal...
New Jersey city faces curfew after violent anti-ICE demonstrations

New Jersey city faces curfew after violent anti-ICE demonstrations

By Chris WadeThe Center Square A nighttime curfew remains in effect outside of a New Jersey ICE detention center Monday after days of violent confrontations with demonstrators that prompted Gov....
Property tax-free Bears deal fails to pass

Property tax-free Bears deal fails to pass

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois legislative session has ended with no stadium deal for the Chicago Bears. House Bill 958...
Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student's alleged killer charged with new felony

Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student’s alleged killer charged with new felony

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Late Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman’s alleged killer has been charged with possessing a 6-inch shank in...
$55.9 billion budget includes new taxes, 'no property tax relief'

$55.9 billion budget includes new taxes, ‘no property tax relief’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has voted to approve a record-high budget for fiscal year 2027, with new...
Illinois to require bell-to-bell student phone ban in public schools

Illinois to require bell-to-bell student phone ban in public schools

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Legislation to ban the use of cell phones by students from bell-to-bell officially passed both chambers in...
Election 2026: Stumps heavy with economy, crime in U.S. Senate race

Election 2026: Stumps heavy with economy, crime in U.S. Senate race

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Democrat and fifth decade politician Roy Cooper’s campaign to succeed Sen. Thom Tillis, flipping one of 53 seats in the U.S. Senate, is locked in...
Quintuple fatal in Virginia renews focus on English language in CDL licensures

Quintuple fatal in Virginia renews focus on English language in CDL licensures

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Jing Dong, a U.S. citizen after immigrating from China, will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the quintuple fatal crash early Friday morning, State Police...
Everyday Economics: Jobs report to test how long consumers can keep carrying economy

Everyday Economics: Jobs report to test how long consumers can keep carrying economy

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The jobs report is the main event this week. But the real question is bigger than payrolls. Can household spending keep holding up when the...