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Politico
2 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Don Tracy considers governor bid
Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. Brace for it. Colbert cancellation could mean more Trump jokes, not fewer, reports WBEZ's Mike Davis Illinois Playbook at the Hideout on Aug. 7 featuring Congressman Mike Quigley. Details here TOP TALKER 2026 INTRIGUE: A familiar Republican name is eyeing the 2026 governor's race. Don Tracy, the former chair of the Illinois Republican Party, confirmed to Lee Enterprises' Brenden Moore that he is actively considering a bid for the state's top job. 'I'm taking a hard look at it,' Tracy told Moore, noting he's been 'making some calls' and that 'several people' have urged him to throw his hat into the ring. The potential candidacy comes at a time when the Illinois GOP is in a prolonged wilderness stretch, failing to win a statewide race in nearly a decade. Tracy may be the Republican to change that. He's a Springfield attorney and businessman with ties to the party's donor class. And though he stepped down as chair last year, Tracy's name still carries weight in Republican circles. It wouldn't be easy. Incumbent Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, a billionaire with virtually unlimited resources and a finely tuned political operation, announced in June that he will seek a third term. The governor has already signaled an aggressive campaign that focuses on attacking extremism. THE BUZZ SILLY SEASON: It turns out Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry isn't endorsing fellow Commissioner Donna Miller's bid for Congress after all. Last week, Miller's campaign trumpeted endorsements featuring suburban mayors and 10 of her County Board colleagues, including Lowry. It seemed like a show of unity. Not so fast. After seeing our report on the endorsements, Lowry's political spokesperson said he's not endorsing Miller, or anyone, in the IL-02 congressional race for the seat now held by Rep. Robin Kelly, who's running for U.S. Senate. The back story: More than a year ago, Lowry agreed to endorse Miller if she were to run for Congress, and she in turn would endorse him if he ran for Cook County Board president, according to folks in both their camps. But since Board President Toni Preckwinkle is seeking reelection, Lowry's not running. Preckwinkle, meanwhile, is backing state Sen. Robert Peters in the race. He said, she said: Lowry's team said they notified Miller's team in May about the non-endorsement. But Miller's team says Lowry's team signaled earlier this month that he was supporting her. The takeaway: In Illinois politics, alliances can be fragile and timing is everything. If you are Bill Lowry, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB At Lessie Bates Senior Circle Cafe in East St. Louis at 11 a.m. to hold a roundtable discussion addressing SNAP cuts WHERE's BRANDON At City Hall at 9:30 a.m. for his regular media briefing — At the Rainbow Push Coalition at 6 p.m. for the Community Youth Lakeside Chat Where's Toni No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ BUSINESS OF POLITICS — In IL-09: Daniel Biss has been endorsed by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim in his bid for the open IL-09 congressional seat. 'Daniel Biss is a tough advocate and effective leader for the people he has served,' Pappas said in a statement. 'He has been responsible with public money and made smart investments for his communities.' — In IL-02: The IAM Union, formally known as the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, has endorsed Robert Peters in the IL-02 congressional district race. Peters is a state senator who chairs the Illinois Senate Labor Committee. — State Sen. Sue Rezin, who serves as deputy Republican leader, is returning to the trail. 'After a lot of thought and discussions, I have decided to run for reelection to protect taxpayers' pocketbooks, strengthen public safety and keep and grow good-paying jobs right here at home in the 38th Senate District,' she said in a statement. Rezin has been serving in the General Assembly since 2010. Her launch video is here. THE STATEWIDES — Gov. JB Pritzker signs two more gun control measures: One requires Illinoisans to more quickly report lost firearms, and another mandates law enforcement agencies statewide participate in a federal gun tracing platform, by the Tribune's Olivia Olander and Jeremy Gorner. — Hospitals are scaling back trans care for youth. A rapid response team is stepping in: 'The team has a network of practitioners in Illinois who don't rely on payments from the federal government, which threatens to cut funding to gender-affirming care providers,' by WBEZ's Kristen Schorsch. — Rate increases, express lanes, new highways considered in tollway's latest strategic plan: 'Board directors on Monday approved a 20-year road map that intertwines road building and repairs with 'innovation, equity and sustainability,' by the Daily Herald's Marni Pyke. — ComEd closes $10M customer relief fund after 70,000 applications, by the Tribune's Robert Channick CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools official tells families budget cuts will mean changes on their campuses: 'Students may see fewer hot school meals, delays in updating technology, fewer crossing guards and other changes,' by Chalkbeat's Mila Koumpilova. — Restaurants feeling impact of tariff uncertainty, policy shifts: 'New ordinances have required Chicago restaurants to give workers paid time off and higher hourly wages. Cook County property taxes have risen, and rents alongside them. Add in broad economic factors, and Chicago restaurants' labor and product costs have increased more than 35 percent since 2020, according to the Illinois Restaurant Association,' by Crain's Ally Marotti. COOK COUNTY — Rolling Meadows hopes for redevelopment near Bears' potential new home: 'The visibility of this location is really important as far as a gateway into and out of our community, and especially knowing what might be coming in the future down the road, that may make this site a highly desirable development site,' City Manager Rob Sabo said, by the Daily Herald's Christopher Placek. SPOTTED — Illinois Atty. Gen. Kwame Raoul hosted a fundraiser Monday at Joy District in Chicago for Virginia Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones. In the room: Congresswoman Robin Kelly, New York Attorney General Letitia James, former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, State Rep. Kim duBuclet, Ald. Matt Martin, former state Sen. Jacqueline Collins and former state Sen. Majority Leader James Clayborne. TAKING NAMES — Lenny Innocenzi, a restaurateur and community leader, has received the Highland Park Community Foundation's Jack Blane Community Service Award, named for longtime public servant Jack Blane. The award recognizes residents 'who go above and beyond in their dedication to the Highland Park-Highwood community.' Innocenzi is the former owner of Buffo's in Highwood and helped establish Highwood Days. — George Lucas finally comes to Comic-Con to give a preview of his new museum, by The Associated Press' Andrew Dalton Reader Digest We asked what mascot besides an elephant and donkey you'd choose for the major political parties. Michael Churchill: 'Pangolin because it would help raise awareness about endangered species that need our protection.' Cynthia Ann Given: 'Tiger because it's independent and represents strength, courage and strategic thinking.' Kent Gray: 'Niffler, from Harry Potter, for the Democratic Party.' Lucas Hawley: 'The capybara for an anti-war or anti-interventionist party because it is peaceful and a friend to all.' Jim Lyons: 'A female kangaroo. The pouch ... to store envelopes.' Joseph Monack: 'A capybara because it brings peace and joy.' Dennis Rendleman: 'For Independents, the pangolin. They are passive — their defense is to roll into a ball — and endangered, making them the most trafficked animals in the world. Other than eating only insects, they sound like Independents.' Charlie Schlenker: 'A mugwump.' NEXT QUESTION: Is it better to work inside the system for change, or challenge it from the outside? KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Durbin demands tapes of Ghislaine Maxwell interviews: 'The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee also pressed the Justice Department for a promise that Maxwell will not be pardoned for her cooperation in matters related to the Jeffrey Epstein files,' by The New York Times' Annie Karni. THE NATIONAL TAKE — Federal employees can pray and preach in the workplace under new Trump rules, by POLITICO's Gregory Svirnovskiy — Trump, breaking with Netanyahu, acknowledges 'real starvation' in Gaza, by POLITICO's Myah Ward IN MEMORIAM — Hall of Famer and Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg dies after battle with prostate cancer: 'Sandberg still holds the modern-era franchise record for runs scored (1,316). Among right-handed hitters, he leads the pack in career singles (1,624) as a Cubs and triples in a single season (19 in 1984),' by the Sun-Times' Maddie Lee. TRANSITIONS — Tom Carney has been named assistant secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation. He's the former commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation. — Devin Carpenter is now a partner in Honigman's Litigation Department. He joins from DLA Piper. EVENTS — Tonight: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is hosting a Community Town Hall featuring Democratic AGs Letitia James (New York), Keith Ellison (Minnesota), Peter Neronha (Rhode Island) and Nick Brown (Washington). Topic: The impact of federal actions on Illinois. RSVP here — Tonight: Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) will host a town hall at Aurora University's Crimi Auditorium starting at 6:30 p.m. — Tonight: State Sen. Bill Cunningham and state Reps. Mary Gill and Rick Ryan will host a 'Healthcare is a Human Right Town Hall' at 5:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Park Public Library in Chicago. — Wednesday: It's National Cheesecake Day, and Eli's Cheesecake will be passing 45-cent slices at its Forest Preserve Drive location and free slices at three locations around Chicago. Here's where you can find them. TRIVIA MONDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Brandon Lee for correctly answering that the late California Sen. S.I. Hayakawa wrote for the Chicago Defender during the 1940s. TODAY's QUESTION: Which Arlington Heights native and DePaul basketball alum spent a season coaching the Chicago Rockers of the Continental Basketball Association? Email your answer to: skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ashley Jenkins-Jordan, the chief of staff for Illinois Senate President Don Harmon; Yusuf Nekzad, legislative director for Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski; broadcaster Sam Brief and former NBA star and Farragut Academy alum Tony Brown. And belated greetings to Kieran Lawless of Sen. Dick Durbin's office, who celebrated Monday. -30-
Axios
21-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Chicago's first Native American affordable housing complex breaks ground
Chicago has moved closer to the city's first affordable housing complex for Native Americans. Why it matters: Chicago's metro area has the third-largest urban Native American population in the United States, about 65,000, WBEZ reported last year. Driving the news: Mayor Brandon Johnson joined developers last week for a land blessing at Jigzibik, an apartment building in Irving Park that will have 45 affordable units for Native American residents. Jigzibik is a Potawatomi word for "at the river's edge." Zoom in: Each unit will have a balcony so residents can burn sage, Shelly Tucciarelli of Visionary Ventures, a Native American housing advocate, tells Axios, and they are working on getting native plants for a rooftop garden. Apartments range from studios to 3-bedrooms amenable to multi-generational households. Prices will be based on the low-income tax credit rate at the time when the building is completed next fall. Follow the money: The Department of Housing contributed more than $6 million to the project, Chicago Housing Commissioner Lissette Castañeda said.
Gulf Today
18-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Analysing a city's jobs initiative for the young
The city of Chicago is connecting more young people with work than it has in years. The mayor's office recently announced that nearly 29,000 teens and young adults were hired this summer through One Summer Chicago, a city-led jobs initiative for people ages 14 to 24. That's welcome news: Research shows summer jobs can reduce youth violence, boost academic and career outcomes and support mental well-being. It turns out that kids still like responsibility — and the independence that comes with earning their own cash. The One Summer Chicago youth jobs programme has grown under Mayor Brandon Johnson; there were just 20,544 participants in 2022. Johnson pledged in his campaign to double the programme as a violence prevention strategy, according to the Tribune News Service. Still, the underlying model raises questions. The city partially or fully subsidises these jobs. Without taxpayer funding, many wouldn't exist. In a stronger local economy, teens would be able to find work without so much government matchmaking. We should also note that the city's youth jobs initiative still falls short of pre-pandemic levels, when more than 30,000 young people were hired annually, including over 31,000 in 2019. Demand continues to far exceed supply, with roughly 51,000 applicants competing for limited spots in 2023, due in part to funding constraints and a lack of private-sector partners, according to WBEZ. Anecdotally, we've heard from many Chicago-area families that their teens are having a hard time finding work, even when they want it. As costs increase and wages rise — the statewide minimum wage grew to $15 this year, and Chicago's is up to $16.60 — many businesses are hiring fewer workers. And when that happens, young people with less training and experience often don't make the cut. Look no further than the reductions many Chicago restaurants are making to their workforces. Restaurants and service jobs are among the most popular for young workers. But as labour costs rise, many businesses are cross-training employees and cutting staff. As we've written, Chicago's decision to continue increasing the tipped minimum wage won't help. The good news is that, nationwide, overall youth unemployment has been declining. At the same time, rising school and university attendance has reduced the number of young people participating in the labor force, which in turn lowers the unemployment rate among that group. But like many other economic indicators, Illinois trails the national average. The state's youth unemployment rate is higher than the US yearly average — consistent with Illinois' broader trend of elevated joblessness across all age groups compared with the rest of the country. In Chicago, the challenge is especially acute. More than 45,000 young people ages 16 to 24 were both out of school and unemployed in 2022, a figure that far exceeds both state and national benchmarks. Employment disparities are even starker for Black and Latino youth. For example, the jobless rate for Blacks aged 16 to 19 nearly doubled in a single year, climbing from 9.4% in 2021 to 17.5% in 2022, according to a 2024 report from the University of Illinois Chicago's Great Cities Institute. In some predominantly Black neighbourhoods, that number soared as high as 92%. When it comes to youth jobs, the stronger the economy, the more opportunities there will be for teens trying to make some money while school is out and gain valuable experience. But even when conditions aren't ideal, the private sector has a role to play. The city of Chicago's financial constraints are as tight as we can remember, and the city shouldn't be the primary provider of summer jobs for teens anyway. As much as they're able, private-sector employers should make summer work opportunities available and help soak up some of that excess demand for jobs. Everyone in Chicago will benefit if more of our youth are gainfully employed while school is out.
Chicago Tribune
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Illinois public broadcasters in Chicago, and especially downstate, fear impact as Senate vote to cut funding looms
WASHINGTON — The GOP-controlled Senate is expected to decide this week whether to slash federal spending on public radio and TV, a move national Republicans say is long overdue but Illinois Democrats and media advocates argue could deprive Americans of reliable sources for news and educational programming. Chicago's public media outlets — WBEZ and WTTW — will undoubtedly get hit by the President Donald Trump-endorsed plan to take away $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting over the next two years. But the cuts would have a far greater impact on smaller stations that rely more on federal funding and predominantly serve rural areas. The coming Capitol Hill debate follows years of complaining by Republicans who claim that National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service are biased against conservatives. Until now, those criticisms weren't enough to convince lawmakers to make significant cuts to public broadcasting funding. But those efforts found new life with the second-term presidency of Trump, who has made media criticism a cornerstone of his political career and is now championing the budget cuts to 1,500 public media outlets across the country. Heather Norman, president of the Illinois Public Broadcasting Council, said large outlets such as those in Chicago 'may not be able to do as much as they would have been doing' if the cuts pass because 'when you pare back money, there's no room for growth or enhanced services.' But stations that are often the only daily news outlets in predominantly rural regions stand to lose even more, Norman said, as they have smaller budgets that rely even more on federal support, sometimes accounting for as much as 50% of their funding. Norman knows firsthand. She's the general manager of Tri States Public Radio in the western Illinois city of Macomb, home to Western Illinois University. The newspaper serving the city of 15,000 people closed its Macomb office more than two years ago. The TV stations that serve Macomb are in Peoria or the Quad Cities, more than an hour's drive away. That means that public radio is often the best way to get real-time information about dangerous situations in town. In September, for instance, a man barricaded himself in a home near Western Illinois' campus after shooting two Macomb city police officers. Four commercial radio stations are based in a building two blocks from where the standoff occurred, Norman said. But the commercial stations were unable to inform residents about the active shooter situation. 'They do not have a soul in their studio; they're all run remotely. So they couldn't tell anyone to stay away from that incident that was two blocks from their building,' Norman said. 'We were the only people on air that were able to tell people where not to go, what the police were doing. We did that regularly.' 'You have to have a way to disperse that information,' she continued. 'We were the people in the studio, that live in the (community), that were able to do that.' In the event of severe weather, public radio stations are equipped to provide regular updates. If the power goes out, and people can't charge their mobile phones or cell towers don't work, public radio stations almost all have back-up generators to stay on the air. 'We are a public service, and that's what our job is to do,' Norman said. Last week, as the Senate prepared to take up the funding vote, Illinois Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin asked his colleagues in a floor speech, 'Do you think we're better off with less information as Americans or more?' He also noted the cuts' far-reaching consequences, echoing much of what Norman said. 'What (does it) mean for small towns in downstate Illinois all the way up to Chicago?' he said. 'Public media stations provide essential, nonpartisan news coverage, life-saving emergency and weather alerts, and educational programming for our kids.' While downstate might be more affected, radio station WBEZ and TV station WTTW wouldn't go unscathed. Of the $1.1 billion that GOP lawmakers want to claw back, $700 million is set aside for direct aid to local stations. If the Senate approves Trump's proposed cuts without any changes, WBEZ would lose $2 million in direct funding and could lose another $1 million in indirect support, which includes staff training and lower negotiated rates for music licenses. The $3 million is approximately 6% of WBEZ's budget. 'WBEZ is in a stronger position than many peers, but as we collaborate with stations across Illinois and beyond, we know these cuts could weaken the overall public media system, diminishing the reach, depth, and impact of the information our audiences depend on,' said Victor Lim, vice president of marketing and communications at Chicago Public Media. Lim said that, even though WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times are both owned by the same organization, the potential funding cuts to the radio station would not affect the newspaper. 'Although the Sun-Times is part of Chicago Public Media, its operations are supported by separate revenue sources,' Lim said. 'CPB funding is limited to noncommercial broadcast services like WBEZ, so the Sun-Times would not be affected by the proposed rescission. However, our organization is still unified with a joint newsroom, so there are still potential negative effects on our overall ability to provide local, independent news.' The cuts to public media come as part of a larger 'rescissions' package the Trump administration is pushing in order to roll back funding lawmakers approved in March. The House's $9.4 billion package of cuts would also scale back spending on foreign aid, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, an initiative of George W. Bush's administration to prevent the spread of HIV across the globe. The U.S. has spent more than $100 billion on the program since its inception, and it is credited with saving approximately 25 million lives. Senators and Trump administration officials announced a deal Tuesday to maintain funding for the AIDS relief program, which could remove a major obstacle for a larger agreement. Foreign aid and public media spending account for a minuscule portion of the federal budget, but they loom large in the popular imagination. Trump and administration officials have accused public media outlets, including NPR and PBS, of political bias. Last year, Trump called for defunding NPR after an NPR business editor said in an online essay that 'an open-minded spirit no longer exists' at the news organization. The editor, Uri Berliner, later resigned. 'Republicans have campaigned on cutting funding for NPR and PBS for decades, and for good reason,' Russell Vought, director of Trump's Office of Management and Budget, said in congressional testimony last month. 'There is no longer any excuse for tax dollars to subsidize these radical, far-left networks,' he said. 'If you would like to donate to them on your own, you are more than welcome to do so, but taxpayers should no longer be forced to foot the bill.' Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS, responded last month to the accusations about political bias, saying, 'I think when people talk about 'bias,' they are speaking mostly about our news. Our news represents about 10% of the work we do.' 'But we work really hard to bring together a diversity of viewpoints,' she said. 'That's part of our mission.' Some Senate Republicans have hesitated to support a bill with such significant cuts to public media. Two senators from Alaska and one from South Dakota publicly worried about the impact the cuts would have on sparsely populated areas of their states. Trump, though, is pushing party members to get in line. 'It is very important that all Republicans adhere to my Recissions Bill and, in particular, DEFUND THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING (PBS and NPR), which is worse than CNN & MSDNC put together,' the president wrote on his social media site last week, using a disparaging nickname for MSNBC. 'Any Republican that votes to allow this monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or Endorsement.' Trump and his followers have repeatedly seized on controversies to accuse mainstream news outlets of bias, sometimes with serious financial consequences. The president sued Paramount, which owns CBS News, and alleged editing bias in a '60 Minutes' interview of former Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump's opponent in November's election. Paramount, which needs federal regulatory approval for a merger, recently settled the case, agreeing to pay $16 million toward Trump's legal fees and his future presidential library. That followed a $15 million settlement by ABC News, which is owned by Disney, in December over an interview conducted by George Stephanopoulos, an ABC News anchor and former adviser to President Bill Clinton. Stephanopoulos mischaracterized the sexual misconduct for which Trump had been found civilly liable. The Trump administration also engaged in a monthslong fight with The Associated Press because the wire service declined to use the term 'Gulf of America' that Trump invented to describe the Gulf of Mexico. Trump has also attempted to dismantle the Voice of America, a federally funded network of overseas reporters covering countries with limited press freedom. The White House accused the organization of being the 'voice of radical America.' Senate Republicans are using a little-used budget maneuver to try to effectuate the cuts. The arcane procedure gives Republicans the chance to make substantial changes to the spending deal Congress approved in March with just a simple majority vote in the Senate, rather than the three-fifths majority usually required to avoid a filibuster. The move would also strengthen the Trump administration's legal position by giving legislative approval to changes that Trump attempted to implement through executive actions, which NPR challenged in court. But to take effect, Congress must approve the rescissions package by Friday. If the Senate makes changes to the proposal, the House must approve them as well by the Friday deadline. If Congress does not OK the cuts, the Trump administration is required by law to spend the money as planned. Trump attempted to use the rescissions procedure once during his first administration, but the Republican-controlled Senate refused to cooperate. Some Republican senators say they are also skittish about the current Trump proposal. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, voiced several concerns with the package, though she has voted with Trump more often than not despite public protestations. Collins demanded more details from administration officials about foreign aid programs that would be scaled back, such as support for vaccines and economic aid to Jordan and Egypt. She also voiced support for local public media. 'I understand … the concern about subsidizing the national radio news programming that for years has had a discernibly partisan bent,' she said. 'There are, however, more targeted approaches to addressing that bias at NPR than rescinding all of the funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.' Democrats have also warned that after-the-fact cuts to bipartisan funding agreements could jeopardize future budget negotiations. 'If Republicans cave to Donald Trump and gut these investments agreed to by both parties, that would be an affront — a huge affront — to the bipartisan appropriations process,' said U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Senate's top Democrat. Schumer and a handful of Democrats, including Durbin, voted for the funding bill that Republicans now want to alter. 'It is absurd to expect Democrats to play along with funding the government if Republicans are just going to renege on a bipartisan agreement by concocting rescissions packages behind closed doors that can pass with only their votes, not the customary 60 votes required in the appropriation process,' Schumer said. As the fight plays out in Washington, local public media outlets are urging listeners to contact their elected officials and to support the stations financially. 'The outpouring of support has been encouraging, and many people have stepped up their giving or have set up recurring giving,' said Lim from Chicago Public Media. 'Community support is more important than ever and, if the funding goes away, we hope the community continues to stand with us as we work to protect Chicagoans' access to independent journalism and close the gap.' 'Our journalism is built to serve the Chicago region by reflecting its people, informing its communities and holding power to account,' he added. 'Federal funding helps make that possible, but regardless of the outcome in Washington, our commitment to the people of this city remains unwavering.'
Chicago Tribune
15-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Editorial: A city where every teen can find work — that should be the goal
The city of Chicago is connecting more young people with work than it has in years. The mayor's office recently announced that nearly 29,000 teens and young adults were hired this summer through One Summer Chicago, a city-led jobs initiative for people ages 14 to 24. That's welcome news: Research shows summer jobs can reduce youth violence, boost academic and career outcomes and support mental well-being. It turns out that kids still like responsibility — and the independence that comes with earning their own cash. The One Summer Chicago youth jobs program has grown under Mayor Brandon Johnson; there were just 20,544 participants in 2022. Johnson pledged in his campaign to double the program as a violence prevention strategy. Still, the underlying model raises questions. The city partially or fully subsidizes these jobs. Without taxpayer funding, many wouldn't exist. In a stronger local economy, teens would be able to find work without so much government matchmaking. We should also note that the city's youth jobs initiative still falls short of pre-pandemic levels, when more than 30,000 young people were hired annually, including over 31,000 in 2019. Demand continues to far exceed supply, with roughly 51,000 applicants competing for limited spots in 2023, due in part to funding constraints and a lack of private-sector partners, according to WBEZ. Anecdotally, we've heard from many Chicago-area families that their teens are having a hard time finding work, even when they want it. As costs increase and wages rise — the statewide minimum wage grew to $15 this year, and Chicago's is up to $16.60 — many businesses are hiring fewer workers. And when that happens, young people with less training and experience often don't make the cut. Look no further than the reductions many Chicago restaurants are making to their workforces. Restaurants and service jobs are among the most popular for young workers. But as labor costs rise, many businesses are cross-training employees and cutting staff. As we've written, Chicago's decision to continue increasing the tipped minimum wage won't help. The good news is that, nationwide, overall youth unemployment has been declining. At the same time, rising school and university attendance has reduced the number of young people participating in the labor force, which in turn lowers the unemployment rate among that group. But like many other economic indicators, Illinois trails the national average. The state's youth unemployment rate is higher than the U.S. yearly average — consistent with Illinois' broader trend of elevated joblessness across all age groups compared with the rest of the country. In Chicago, the challenge is especially acute. More than 45,000 young people ages 16 to 24 were both out of school and unemployed in 2022, a figure that far exceeds both state and national benchmarks. Employment disparities are even starker for Black and Latino youth. For example, the jobless rate for Blacks aged 16 to 19 nearly doubled in a single year, climbing from 9.4% in 2021 to 17.5% in 2022, according to a 2024 report from the University of Illinois Chicago's Great Cities Institute. In some predominantly Black neighborhoods, that number soared as high as 92%. When it comes to youth jobs, the stronger the economy, the more opportunities there will be for teens trying to make some money while school is out and gain valuable experience. But even when conditions aren't ideal, the private sector has a role to play. The city of Chicago's financial constraints are as tight as we can remember, and the city shouldn't be the primary provider of summer jobs for teens anyway. As much as they're able, private-sector employers should make summer work opportunities available and help soak up some of that excess demand for jobs. Everyone in Chicago will benefit if more of our youth are gainfully employed while school is out.
