The state created only 54,000 jobs in seven years.
Illinois has posted one of the country’s lowest job creation rates in the seven years since Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office.
From January 2019 to January 2026, the state added 54,000 jobs, according to federal data. That’s a mere 0.9% increase, ranking Illinois 43rd in the U.S.
The primary culprit is an unfriendly business environment resulting from burdensome regulations and high taxes, both of which have worsened under Pritzker.
From January 2019 to January 2026, Illinois has consistently had one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. The state’s unemployment rate stood at 4.9% in January 2026, eighth-worst overall.
Idaho recorded the highest job growth rate in the period, at 17.2%, adding 129,100 positions.
Texas saw the largest raw increase, growing from about 12.7 million jobs in January 2019 to about 14.4 million in January 2026, an increase of just under 1.7 million.
The U.S. saw overall job growth of 5.7%, adding over 8.5 million positions during the seven-year period.
Illinois’ neighboring states — Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin — saw total employment growth of 2.48%, adding a total of 311,800 jobs.
Illinoisans face one of the highest state and local tax burdens in the nation. The state’s corporate income tax is third-highest, and its tax code is among the Midwest’s least friendly for businesses.
Pritzker has presided over 57 tax and fee hikes, which have cost Illinoisans $77 billion.
Illinois has one of the most burdensome regulatory environments in the country. The state has added thousands of regulations since Pritzker took office, while other states like Idaho have dramatically reduced theirs. These regulations make it more difficult for people and businesses to grow and create jobs.
Illinois has many advantages, such as its diverse economy, central location and strong infrastructure. To take advantage of that, the state must strengthen its fiscal position, remove regulatory burdens and provide real tax relief — both to workers who are finding it difficult to remain in the state and to job creators who are desperately trying to stay.
