Economy
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Inflation likely to spike in coming months after costs appeared to cool in 2026Mar 11, 2026 7:00 am - Inflation likely was elevated last month even before the spike in oil and gas prices of the past two weeks that is expected to send consumer costs soaring in the months ahead.
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‘It’s horrible’: Consumers rocked by gasoline spike as Iran war broadensMar 09, 2026 6:44 pm - Gas prices in the Chicago region surged 50 cents in one week to $3.69 per gallon following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran that began February 28. The conflict has disrupted oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles 20% of the world's oil supply.
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What’s the top issue facing Illinois’ 6th Congressional District? Casten, challengers disagreeMar 08, 2026 4:36 pm - The candidates challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Sean Casten for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District seat differ with him about the top issue facing constituents.
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Most Democrats in 9th Congressional race cite affordability as top issueMar 07, 2026 4:37 pm - Most of the Democratic candidates for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District seat believe the rising cost of living is the greatest issue facing constituents.
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The US lost a surprising 92,000 jobs last month as the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.4%
Mar 06, 2026 10:52 am - American employers unexpectedly cut 92,000 jobs last month, a sign that the labor market remains under strain. The unemployment rate blipped up to 4.4%.
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Retail sales fall modestly in January as American consumers pull back on spending
Mar 06, 2026 9:07 am - American consumers pulled back their spending to start 2026, extending the malaise in retail sales that began late last year.
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More than 20 states sue over new global tariffs Trump imposed after his stinging Supreme Court loss
Mar 05, 2026 2:05 pm - Some two dozen states challenged President Donald Trump’s new global tariffs on Thursday, filing a lawsuit over import taxes he imposed after a stinging loss at the Supreme Court.
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US jobless claims filings unchanged from previous week at 213,000 as layoffs remain low
Mar 05, 2026 8:08 am - The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits last week was unchanged from the week before, a sign that layoffs remain at historically low levels.
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Iran attacks threaten US economy with more uncertainty around inflation, growth
Mar 03, 2026 1:44 pm - Oil prices jumped Tuesday for the second straight day and gas prices moved higher in the United States, underscoring the threat of rising inflation posed by the Iran war.
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Dow drops 400 after trimming an earlier plunge of 1,200 as oil prices leap even higher
Mar 03, 2026 8:59 am - A sell-off for stocks wrapped around the world and hit Wall Street Tuesday, while oil prices climbed even higher on worries about the widening war with Iran. But the big moves that rocked markets in the morning eased substantially as the day progressed.