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

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

Spread the love

(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

DeSantis signs new congressional map into law

DeSantis signs new congressional map into law

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Second-term Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed his redrawn congressional map into law. The Legislature gave passage last week. “Signed, sealed and delivered,” DeSantis...
South Carolinian facing charges for threatening Trump will stay jailed

South Carolinian facing charges for threatening Trump will stay jailed

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Army veteran Daniel Swain spoke only briefly in response to a federal magistrate judge on Monday and will have a detention hearing on Thursday. Swain,...
Iran testing fragile ceasefire, fires on Navy, commercial ships

Iran testing fragile ceasefire, fires on Navy, commercial ships

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Iran is testing the ceasefire as it fires at U.S. naval and commercial vessels within hours of the implementation of “Project Freedom.” U.S. Central Command...
Small businesses expected to feel pinch as diesel hits $6 a gallon

Small businesses expected to feel pinch as diesel hits $6 a gallon

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois trucking industry leader says consumers and small businesses can expect to feel the pinch as...
GOP senators renew calls to nuke filibuster after voter ID bill languishes

GOP senators renew calls to nuke filibuster after voter ID bill languishes

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With Congress juggling government funding, the farm bill, government surveillance reauthorization and more, a Republican election security bill has taken a backseat, much to the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Four charged in alleged pharmacy burglary conspiracy

Illinois Quick Hits: Four charged in alleged pharmacy burglary conspiracy

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Four people from California are charged in connection with a conspiracy to burglarize pharmacies and distribute controlled...
LA City Council member seeks to allow noncitizens to vote

LA City Council member seeks to allow noncitizens to vote

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A Los Angeles City Council member has proposed allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections. Speaking on Friday at a Rules Committee meeting, Councilmember Hugo...
Chicago loses 2,100 restaurant jobs as industry fights mandated wage hikes

Chicago loses 2,100 restaurant jobs as industry fights mandated wage hikes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Chicago’s efforts to phase out sub-minimum wages are proposed nationwide, a restaurant industry advocate says the...
State Senator, ‘angel parent’ want to let police work with ICE

State Senator, ‘angel parent’ want to let police work with ICE

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Democrat legislators have moved legislation to restrict U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations within Illinois, one...
U.S. Supreme Court temporarily allows mail-order abortion pills

U.S. Supreme Court temporarily allows mail-order abortion pills

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will temporarily allow women to obtain abortion pills through the mail, without visiting an in-person doctor. Justices on the court blocked...
U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Washington COVID-19 speech case

U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Washington COVID-19 speech case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case over whether the government can discipline doctors for what they say publicly. The case, Stockton v....
'Project Freedom' begins, two ships safely transit Strait of Hormuz

‘Project Freedom’ begins, two ships safely transit Strait of Hormuz

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The United States launched “Project Freedom” Monday morning in an effort to safely escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump announced...
Screenshot 2026-04-25 at 8.34.35 AM

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for April 16, 2026

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education met on Thursday to review comprehensive financial forecasting, expand...
Supreme Court declines hearing Chicago gun sales case

Supreme Court declines hearing Chicago gun sales case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined hearing a case that alleged an Indiana gun shop fueled gun violence in Chicago. The case, Westforth Sports v. Chicago,...
Will County Board Graphic.02

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board for April 16, 2026

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 The Will County Board met at an offsite hotel venue on Thursday, April 16, 2026, navigating a heavy agenda dominated by the...