#illinois

Columbia College recently laid off six tenured faculty members. This action addresses declining enrollment and a growing budget deficit. The college has now cut 54 full-time faculty since January 2025. The layoffs impacted the Schools of Communication and Culture and Design. Affected faculty will receive pay through the next academic year.

https://columbiachronicle.com/campus/breaking-college-lays-off-6-tenured-faculty-in-fourth-round-of-cuts/

Guzman y Gomez permanently closed all its US restaurants. The Australian fast-food chain shuttered eight Illinois locations. Displaced workers filed a federal class action lawsuit. They allege insufficient notice for the mass layoffs. The company cited stagnant sales and high capital costs for its exit.

Chicago, Illinois

https://www.koranmanado.co.id/en/guzman-gomez-exits-us-lawsuit

At least 22 teachers were laid off from ChiArts. This happened during its transition to Chicago Public Schools management. Affected teachers had to reapply for their jobs. Staff members report poor communication from new leadership. The school's unique model and remaining positions face an uncertain future.

Chicago, Illinois

https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/05/20/chiarts-teachers-parents-sound-alarm-on-layoffs-as-cps-takes-over/

Columbia College recently eliminated three staff positions. Its staff union claims the college violated its contract. The union states it received no advance notice of these layoffs. These reductions occur amid ongoing financial strain and declining enrollment. The college is now discussing the situation with the union.

https://columbiachronicle.com/campus/we-cannot-survive-on-a-skeleton-crew-columbia-staff-union-says-sudden-layoffs-hurt-morale-student-services/

Nurses at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Joliet express concern over the hospital's future. They accuse owner Prime Healthcare of repeatedly cutting services and staff since March 2025. These reductions include suspending inpatient pediatric care and closing a post-surgical unit. Increased nurse-to-patient ratios have led to over 110 nurse departures. Nurses are now demanding Prime Healthcare invest in the hospital and seek community support.

Joliet, IL

https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/st-joes-hospital-closing-horizon-we-have-defend-our-hospital-it-s-too-late

John Deere plans to open two new U.S. manufacturing facilities. These sites in Indiana and North Carolina will create about 300 new jobs. This expansion follows thousands of layoffs at Deere's U.S. plants in recent years. The company recalled only 324 employees since January. Soft demand for farm equipment and tariffs continue to challenge the market.

Moline, Illinois

https://ts2.tech/en/john-deeres-300-job-u-s-expansion-faces-the-layoff-math-behind-its-comeback/

Resilience Healthcare laid off hundreds of employees from a suburban Chicago hospital. This action affected 670 workers at West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park. The hospital cited financial and technological issues, specifically a failed electronic medical records system. CEO Dr. Manoj Prasad hopes to reopen the hospital with state financial assistance. A law firm is investigating Resilience for potential WARN Act violations.

Oak Park, Illinois

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/facing-financial-issues-illinois-hospital-shutters-lays-off-hundreds-of-workers/ar-AA21Cz5L?cvid=69ec2ff1899145a5b40b386714df05b5&ocid=DELLDHP

German manufacturer Gerresheimer Glass Inc. will close its Illinois facility. This action will lead to 172 worker layoffs. The layoffs are set for September 30. Production will shift to plants in Italy and India. The company aims to reduce costs and improve performance.

Chicago Heights, Illinois

https://www.pjstar.com/story/business/manufacturing/2026/04/26/illinois-loses-manufacturing-business-and-employees-to-be-laid-off/89773546007/

The CTA is implementing a new security strategy for its transit system. The agency recently laid off 159 contracted security guards. These guards were employed through Monterrey Security. Funding previously allocated to these guards will now be directed to sworn officers and other security resources. This shift aims to enhance safety for both riders and staff.

Chicago, Illinois

https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/cta-prioritizes-safety-with-new-measures-despite-layoffs/

Illinois Central School Bus will close three facilities in Illinois. Over 250 employees will be laid off across these sites. Lost contracts are cited as the reason for these closures. Layoffs are scheduled to occur between May and June. A law firm is investigating potential violations of the WARN Act regarding notice periods.

Joliet, Illinois

https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/state/2026/04/18/illinois-company-to-shut-down-three-locations-after-losing-contracts/89643067007/

Illinois experienced only slight job growth last year. Its unemployment rate remained among the highest nationwide. In January, 319,000 Illinoisans sought work without success. The state added 7,900 jobs from January 2025 to January 2026. This 0.13% increase was below the national average.

Illinois

https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-posted-slow-job-growth-last-year/

Nearly 1,100 mass layoffs were reported statewide in Illinois for March. The majority of these job cuts occurred in Cook County. Heartland Human Care Services announced 192 layoffs due to federal funding cuts. Saks Fifth Avenue also announced 101 cuts with its Michigan Avenue store closure. Several other companies across various industries also reported significant job reductions.

Chicago, Illinois

https://www.illinoispolicy.org/march-mass-layoffs-hit-cook-county-hardest/

Trinity Christian College will close at the end of the current school year. This closure will result in 107 employee layoffs. Hundreds of students must transfer to other institutions. The college cited ongoing financial challenges, including declining enrollment and operating deficits. Its board of trustees explored various options but found no sustainable path forward.

Palos Heights, Illinois

https://roysreport.com/es/trinity-christian-college-announces-layoffs-ahead-of-closure/

Dana Incorporated announced it will close its facility in Robinson, Illinois. The company informed employees and local officials via a WARN notice. Approximately 80 employees work at this gasket manufacturing plant. Layoffs are expected to begin in June, with the facility closing in October. This move is part of Dana's corporate restructuring efforts.

Robinson, Illinois

https://www.truckpartsandservice.com/products/supplier-updates/article/15822150/dana-inc-streamlining-operations-illinois-plant-closure

Cars Commerce is laying off 11 percent of its full-time workforce. This action aims to streamline management layers. The company also seeks to reduce overall costs. New CEO Tobi Hartmann began his role in mid-January. These job cuts will be completed early in the second quarter.

https://www.autonews.com/retail/an-cars-commerce-layoffs-0409/

Southwest Airlines reported layoffs in Illinois. The airline will affect 107 workers. The company is ending service at O’Hare International Airport. Service at O'Hare will conclude on June 4. Southwest will still serve the Chicago area from Midway.

Chicago, Illinois

https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/state/2026/04/09/illinois-warn-report-reveals-layoffs-for-southwest-airlines-at-ohare-international-airport/89504279007/

The Freeport Board of Education unanimously approved a sweeping layoff plan. This decision addresses a significant budget deficit. Fifty-four positions will be cut, including teachers and support staff. These reductions are projected to save about $5.8 million. The district faces an $11 million deficit for fiscal year 2027.

Freeport, Illinois

https://www.wrex.com/community/dozens-out-of-work-after-freeport-school-district-layoffs/article_027a01f0-fa6a-44c0-97b6-cd85ab966f4b.html

Stellantis provided updates on the Belvidere Assembly Plant status. The plant's reopening is now scheduled for June 2028. Stellantis approved $10 million for equipment assessments and electrical substations. Approximately 1,450 members remain on layoff status corporate-wide. The Supplemental Unemployment Benefits fund is currently $702.2 million.

Belvidere, Ill.

https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/layoffs-delays-and-slow-progress-whats-next-for-belvidere-assembly-workers/

Walmart Inc. filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification in Illinois. The company plans to lay off 111 employees. This action is due to the closure of its Matteson facility. Layoffs are expected to begin on May 29. Affected workers may transfer to other Walmart locations.

Matteson, Illinois

https://whatnow.com/chicago/local-news/americas-biggest-retailer-walmart-to-cut-111-jobs-at-matteson-site/

TreeHouse Private Brands Inc. operates a South Beloit facility. The company reported upcoming layoffs to Illinois. It is one of ten companies on the state's list. The Illinois Department of Commerce compiles this monthly list. This reporting is part of the Illinois WARN Act.

Rockford, IL

https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/local/2026/03/31/companies-warn-illinois-workers-of-nearly-4000-layoffs/89386421007/

Capital One Financial Corporation is under investigation by Strauss Borrelli PLLC. This relates to a recent mass layoff of 1,053 employees. The layoffs occurred at its Riverwoods, Illinois location. Capital One provided state notification on March third, 2026. The law firm suspects a violation of the federal WARN Act.

Riverwoods, Illinois

https://straussborrelli.com/2026/03/05/capital-one-illinois-warn-act-investigation/

Over 3,600 individuals lost jobs in Illinois during the first 90 days of 2026. The Illinois Work Center site reported 3,695 layoffs in this period. Manufacturing facilities experienced the highest number of job losses. The healthcare industry also saw significant job reductions. These figures only include businesses required to issue WARN notices.

https://101theeagle.com/illinois-layoffs-2026/

You would be smart to quit your Oracle job in California and move to find a job in either St Louis Missouri, Detroit Michigan or Cook County Illinois which is Chicago. Gas in all three cities is cheaper but you’re going to have to dodge all the bustin caps going along with the natives. As far as schools go, forget it.

Illinois employers reported thousands of mass layoffs last month. The actual number of affected workers is closer to 2,300. The manufacturing sector recorded 1,264 permanent job losses. First Brands Group LLC accounted for over 1,000 of these cuts. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2025.

https://www.illinoispolicy.org/manufacturing-layoffs-drive-illinois-job-cuts-in-february/

Illinois WARN reports indicate over 6,000 layoffs. The layoffs are scheduled for early 2026. The WARN Act mandates employer notification. Multiple sectors face job cuts, including health care and retail. TreeHouse Private Brands will lay off 168 workers in South Beloit.

https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/more-than-6000-illinois-workers-face-layoffs-in-early-2026-new-warn-filings-show/

Rockford Public Schools announced layoffs. This action addresses a projected $15 million budget deficit. The district will lay off 110 central office and non-classroom employees. These cuts are part of a restructuring plan. The goal is to maintain long-term financial stability.

Rockford, IL

https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/local/2026/03/12/rockford-public-schools-to-cut-jobs-to-close-budget-deficit/89125389007/

Multiple Illinois companies have issued Worker Adjustment and Retraining (WARN) Act notices. These notices indicate upcoming layoffs for hundreds of employees statewide. Walgreens announced over 400 job cuts at its Deerfield headquarters and other locations. H&M also reported 181 layoffs as part of a restructuring plan. Other companies like First Brands Group and Wells Fargo also filed notices.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/hundreds-of-workers-across-illinois-to-be-laid-off-in-coming-months-warn-act-shows/3906996/

Capital One announced layoffs affecting over 1,100 workers. These cuts are part of integrating Discover with Capital One. The affected roles include 532 at the Riverwoods facility. Another 69 Illinois residents and 538 remote workers are also impacted. This marks the second wave of layoffs since the acquisition last year.

Riverwoods, Illinois

https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/capital-one-layoffs-riverwoods-illinois-discover-headquarters/

Hundreds of layoffs are coming to Walgreens. The Deerfield-based company called this a difficult decision. The company aims to simplify its organization and improve service. Reports indicate 469 jobs will be eliminated in Illinois. Another 159 positions will be cut in Texas.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/deerfield-based-walgreens-to-layoff-hundreds-in-difficult-decision-report/3902007/

A WARN notice was filed by H&M Fashion USA. This notice outlines plans for 181 employee layoffs. The affected staff work at its downtown Chicago office. The company filed the notice on February 20, 2026. Job cuts will commence on May 7, 2026.

https://whatnow.com/news/trending/multinational-fast-fashion-retailer-to-lay-off-181-employees-in-chicago/

WGN TV laid off 8-9 on-air employees on Monday. This follows previous layoffs of behind-the-scenes staff. Parent company Nexstar is currently merging with Tegna. The cuts aim to reduce costs due to anticipated debt from the merger. Nexstar also carries debt from its 2019 Tribune Media acquisition.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-media/2026/02/23/wgn-tv-chicago-layoffs-chicagos-very-own-channel-9-nexstar-tegna

Panduit Corp. is laying off 178 employees from its DeKalb warehouse facility. These workforce reductions are part of a planned move of operations to Indiana. The company announced this relocation in 2024. The layoffs are expected to be complete by the end of March. Panduit is committed to supporting affected employees with various assistance.

https://www.shawlocal.com/daily-chronicle/2026/02/20/panduit-corp-manufacturing-warehouse-in-dekalb-to-layoff-178-employees-report-says/

Walgreens will lay off hundreds of employees across two states. The company confirmed at least 628 job cuts. These layoffs affect 469 positions in Illinois and 159 in Texas. Walgreens also plans to close dozens of retail stores in 2026. The pharmacy chain faces increased competition and higher costs.

https://www.fastcompany.com/91496106/walgreens-layoffs-store-closures-locations-on-doomed-list

Amazon eliminated 1,545 positions in Illinois this January. These layoffs resulted from the closure of multiple Amazon Fresh and Go stores. These job cuts represented the majority of over 2,000 total state layoffs. The affected areas were primarily Chicago's suburban counties. Illinois law mandates employer notification for such significant layoffs.

https://www.illinoispolicy.org/amazon-fresh-cuts-1545-illinois-jobs-in-january/

Baker McKenzie announced plans to cut approximately 700 business services staff. The firm cited artificial intelligence as a reason for these reductions. The article questions if AI is truly the cause or an excuse. AI is not directly replacing Biglaw lawyers internally. Client use of AI and smaller firms leveraging it may reduce Biglaw's need for lawyers.

https://abovethelaw.com/2026/02/baker-mckenzie-blamed-ai-for-massive-layoff-but-the-problem-is-much-more-complicated/

109 laid off in Cook County

https://www.illinoisworknet.com/LayoffRecovery/Pages/ArchivedWARNReports.aspx

A union has issued a warning regarding impending layoffs across municipal services. These layoffs are specifically expected to impact janitorial staff. The affected entities include Chicago police and fire stations, as well as other city buildings. This move indicates potential job losses for essential support workers within the city's infrastructure. The union's alert signals a significant concern for public service employees in the area.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/10/janitor-layoffs-to-hit-city-buildings/

Strauss Borrelli PLLC is investigating First Brands Group LLC. This concerns a potential mass layoff at its McHenry, Illinois facility. First Brands Group notified the state of its decision on February 3, 2026. The layoff affected 389 employees. The firm is investigating if the company failed to provide 60 days' notice under the WARN Act.

https://straussborrelli.com/2026/02/06/first-brands-group-illinois-warn-act-investigation/

GXO Logistics, Inc. is closing its Romeoville, Illinois plant. Thirty-two workers will be impacted by the closure. Their layoffs are set for April 4. GXO Logistics reported the closure on January 21 under the WARN Act. A company spokesperson cited changing business needs for the plant closure.

https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/state/2026/02/02/illinois-employer-to-shutter-plant-and-lay-off-workers/88430126007/