ISACo

Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs decreased in 8 metropolitan areas and increased in 4, leading to consecutive months with year-over-year growth in Chicago (17 consecutive months) and Lake (6 consecutive months). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in 10 metro areas and decreased in 2 for the year ending November 2025, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). The was no October 2025 metro area release due to the federal government shutdown.

During this Radon Action Month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) and the American Lung Association in Illinois encourage families and schools to talk about radon and its dangerous effects. One way to spur the conversation is to ask school-age students to enter artwork into the statewide awareness poster and video contests.

The Illinois Department on Aging today released EngAging Illinois: A Comprehensive Plan for Living Well, a landmark multisector plan addressing the needs of older adults and caregivers. The plan establishes a decade-long blueprint to ensure the growing population of older Illinoisans can live dignified, engaged, productive, and meaningful lives at every stage of life.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced $36 million in grant funding was awarded to 67 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. The grants were awarded through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, program.

Get Covered Illinois announced today that it is giving residents an additional 16 days to enroll in health insurance through the state’s official marketplace. Customers now have until January 31 to apply for and enroll in coverage. “We are seeing record numbers of customers finding more affordable coverage by taking the time to shop for and compare plans” said Morgan Winters, Director of Get Covered Illinois. “As a state-based marketplace, not only do we now have the authority to offer this special enrollment extension, but we also have more resources to support our customers in finding affordable health coverage options.”