Illinois companies reported 1,722 mass layoffs in September 2025, with Capital One leading job losses following its merger with Discover and restructuring in Riverwoods.
Chicago saw 726 layoffs across six employers, including Spirit Airlines, Weiss Memorial Hospital, and Brookdale Senior Living.
Nearly 45% of layoffs affected suburban Cook County workers, while 39% occurred in nearby collar counties, with the rest spread across Champaign, Winnebago, Macon, and Stephenson counties.
Of the total cuts, 650 were standard layoffs, 430 were due to business closures, and 97 were furloughs or temporary layoffs, with about 63% expected to be permanent.
The report suggests Illinois could strengthen its job market by reducing its high property, corporate, and unemployment insurance tax rates to create a more competitive business environment.
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/capital-one-leads-illinois-mass-layoffs-as-companies-announce-1722-job-cuts/