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The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today nonfarm payrolls increased +4,100 (+0.1%) over-the-month to a new record high of 6,172,500 in April. The previous record was set in last month, with 6,168,400 jobs. Additionally, the March monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report of +14,800 to +10,900. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.8 percent in April, while the revised unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, unchanged from the preliminary March unemployment rate. The April payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.

The following amendments of interest to counties were filed in the General Assembly on May 12 and 13, 2025. Click on the title to view the report.

The following amendments of interest to counties were filed in the General Assembly on May 12 and 13, 2025. Click on the title to view the report.

Illinois’ budget outlook is worsening as the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget lowers its revenue forecast by $536 million—still falling short of fiscal reality. State spending has also surged $1.6 billion beyond projections, driven largely by pension and healthcare costs. Lawmakers may be forced to pass a stopgap budget and return later this year to address the growing shortfall. Click on the title for more.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting that the first mosquito pool of the year to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) this year was collected on May 9 in Rockford by the Winnebago County Health Department. The specimen tested positive for WNV on May 12. “The news of the first batch of mosquitos carrying West Nile virus is a reminder for Illinois residents to begin protecting themselves from diseases caused by mosquito and tick bites,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “The best defense against West Nile virus is to practice the ‘Three R’s’: reduce, repel, and report’. IDPH urges everyone, and especially those who are older or have weakened immune systems, to ‘Fight the Bite’ and protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes and the viruses they carry.” Last year in Illinois, IDPH reported that 72 counties around the state reported positive tests for WNV in mosquitos, birds, horses or humans. There were 69 confirmed human cases of WNV according to IDPH data and 13 human deaths, the highest number since 17 deaths were recorded in 2018.