Economy
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Wage inequities persist in Illinois but have improved slightly, report shows
Jan 16, 2026 12:14 pm - A 2021 amendment to the Equal Pay Act mandates certain Illinois businesses to report biannual wage and demographic data to the Department of Labor. The first analysis, based on three years of data, shows some improvement, but disparities remain the widest in low-wage and craft occupations. Researchers recommend expanding the reported data to get the full picture of wage equity in Illinois.
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Elgin mayor stresses ‘stability’ in annual State of the City addressJan 15, 2026 2:45 pm - Elgin Mayor David Kaptain told business leaders this week that the city’s focus on financial and governmental stability over the past 10 years will help them navigate the next 10.
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Inflation cooled slightly in December though it remains above Fed's target
Jan 13, 2026 9:14 am - WASHINGTON — Inflation cooled a bit last month as prices for gas and used cars fell, a sign that stubbornly elevated cost pressures are slowly easing. Consumer prices ro...
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Trump visits Ford plant and defends his tariffs, hoping to counter jitters about the economy
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Top central bankers express ‘full solidarity’ with Fed Chair Powell in clash with Trump
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DOJ investigation of Fed Chair Powell sparks backlash, support for Fed independence
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‘Til debt do us part: Planning for your business to not go as plannedJan 10, 2026 12:45 pm - Across suburban Chicago, many people will start new businesses this year, and many of them will have more than one owner. While starting a business is relatively easy, keeping it free of conflict is much more difficult. That is why taking affirmative steps to protect both the owners and the company is paramount.
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Economic outlook: What to expect in 2026Jan 10, 2026 12:30 pm - President Donald Trump’s reelection in 2024, the tariff shock in 2025, and geopolitical events along the way have left investors wondering what comes next.
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More workers are stuck in part-time jobs, in warning for the economy
Jan 09, 2026 9:36 am - In a slowing labor market, even people with jobs are increasingly making do with less-than-ideal arrangements. They’re stuck in part-time positions or patching together multiple jobs to make ends meet, employment data shows.
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As Trump promises Venezuelan renaissance, locals struggle with crumbling economy