(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced yesterday that the state’s unemployment rate increased to 5.2%, compared to the national number for July at 4.3%, which also up from the previous month. Preliminary data had the industry sectors with the most payroll declines in Illinois as manufacturing along with leisure & hospitality.
(SPRINGFIELD) With the threat of another wave of illegal immigrants being bused to Illinois during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next week, nearly 200 people became U.S. citizens this past week during a ceremony at the Illinois State Fair. The group, who came from 49 different countries, took the Oath of Allegiance, and were noted for taking the time to go through the official legalization process. Meanwhile, over the past two years, since August 2022, an estimated 34,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in Illinois, although many others may be in the state without officially being counted.
(SPRINGFIELD) The 2024 Illinois State Fair is starting to finish up in Springfield. Today is First Responder & Healthcare Heroes Day with more livestock shows, a circus, and The Smashing Pumpkins on stage tonight. Tomorrow is Park District Conservation Day with more than 45 statewide Park Districts represented on the fairgrounds, plus USAC Auto Racing, two performances of Fairytales on Ice, the Championship Demo Derby in The Arena, and Miranda Lambert with Gavin Adcock on stage Saturday night. The final day of the fair on Sunday is Family Day with various shows for all ages, afternoon ARCA Racing, Drew Baldridge on the Grand Central Stage, and Shaboozy on the Grandstand Stage that night. Everyday activities includes various shows at Conservation World, plus all the food stands, carnival rides, & more. Stay up-to-date on the statefair.illinois.gov website.
(SPRINGFIELD) Speaking of the State Fair, was this past Wednesday night, that Lil Wayne brought record numbers of attendees to the grandstand with 15,427 people on hand for the concert. The previous record holder was Jason Aldean, who filled 15,329 seats back in 2011. Now with the third highest crowd in attendance was Florida Georgia Line in 2014.