Canva

#50. Williamson County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.3%
— 1-month change: Down 0.5 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.4 percentage points
– Total labor force: 31,320 people (1,357 unemployed)

Henryk Sadura // Shutterstock

#49. Tazewell County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.3%
— 1-month change: Down 0.6 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.3 percentage points
– Total labor force: 61,017 people (2,644 unemployed)

Canva

#48. Will County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.3%
— 1-month change: Down 0.7 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.9 percentage points
– Total labor force: 373,554 people (16,060 unemployed)

Canva

#47. St. Clair County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.4%
— 1-month change: Down 0.4 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.3 percentage points
– Total labor force: 124,884 people (5,535 unemployed)

Canva

#46. Saline County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.5%
— 1-month change: Down 0.4 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.2 percentage points
– Total labor force: 9,756 people (438 unemployed)

Canva

#45. Montgomery County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.5%
— 1-month change: Down 0.9 percentage points
— 1-year change: Down 0.3 percentage points
– Total labor force: 11,307 people (512 unemployed)

Canva

#44. Christian County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.5%
— 1-month change: Down 0.6 percentage points
— 1-year change: No change
– Total labor force: 13,290 people (603 unemployed)

Canva

#43. Marion County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.5%
— 1-month change: Down 0.4 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.4 percentage points
– Total labor force: 16,524 people (744 unemployed)

Canva

#42. Grundy County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.5%
— 1-month change: Down 0.9 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.9 percentage points
– Total labor force: 26,611 people (1,191 unemployed)

Canva

#41. Whiteside County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.5%
— 1-month change: Down 0.8 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.5 percentage points
– Total labor force: 27,301 people (1,236 unemployed)

Canva

#40. DeKalb County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.5%
— 1-month change: Down 0.6 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.3 percentage points
– Total labor force: 53,982 people (2,455 unemployed)

Canva

#39. Cook County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.5%
— 1-month change: Down 0.4 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.9 percentage points
– Total labor force: 2.7 million people (119,860 unemployed)

Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#38. Massac County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.6%
— 1-month change: Down 0.2 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.3 percentage points
– Total labor force: 5,342 people (247 unemployed)

Canva

#37. Mason County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.6%
— 1-month change: Down 0.6 percentage points
— 1-year change: No change
– Total labor force: 5,920 people (271 unemployed)

Eddie J. Rodriquez // Shutterstock

#36. Carroll County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.6%
— 1-month change: Down 1.1 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.7 percentage points
– Total labor force: 7,075 people (324 unemployed)

Canva

#35. Fayette County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.6%
— 1-month change: Down 0.7 percentage points
— 1-year change: Down 0.1 percentage points
– Total labor force: 9,586 people (444 unemployed)

Canva

#34. Iroquois County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.6%
— 1-month change: Down 1.0 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.4 percentage points
– Total labor force: 12,910 people (597 unemployed)

Canva

#33. Logan County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.7%
— 1-month change: Down 0.6 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.5 percentage points
– Total labor force: 11,283 people (532 unemployed)

Eddie J. Rodriquez // Shutterstock

#32. Marshall County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.8%
— 1-month change: Down 0.8 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.1 percentage points
– Total labor force: 5,061 people (242 unemployed)

SevenMaps // Shutterstock

#31. Perry County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.8%
— 1-month change: Down 0.6 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.2 percentage points
– Total labor force: 7,663 people (370 unemployed)

Canva

#30. Stephenson County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.8%
— 1-month change: Down 0.8 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.2 percentage points
– Total labor force: 20,948 people (1,012 unemployed)

Gregory S. King // Shutterstock

#29. Scott County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.9%
— 1-month change: Down 0.9 percentage points
— 1-year change: Down 0.1 percentage points
– Total labor force: 2,267 people (112 unemployed)

Canva

#28. Fulton County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.9%
— 1-month change: Down 0.9 percentage points
— 1-year change: Down 0.1 percentage points
– Total labor force: 14,527 people (718 unemployed)

Canva

#27. Gallatin County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.0%
— 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
– Total labor force: 2,048 people (103 unemployed)

Canva

#26. Union County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.0%
— 1-month change: Down 0.8 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.3 percentage points
– Total labor force: 7,110 people (354 unemployed)

Canva

#25. Clay County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.1%
— 1-month change: Down 0.5 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.5 percentage points
– Total labor force: 5,756 people (294 unemployed)

Kent Raney // Shutterstock

#24. Rock Island County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.1%
— 1-month change: Down 0.5 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.8 percentage points
– Total labor force: 65,829 people (3,388 unemployed)

Canva

#23. Lake County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.1%
— 1-month change: Down 1.1 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.4 percentage points
– Total labor force: 361,863 people (18,529 unemployed)

Canva

#22. Clark County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.2%
— 1-month change: Down 0.5 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 1.3 percentage points
– Total labor force: 7,256 people (376 unemployed)

Canva

#21. Henry County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.2%
— 1-month change: Down 0.4 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.7 percentage points
– Total labor force: 23,265 people (1,201 unemployed)

Canva

#20. Putnam County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.3%
— 1-month change: Down 1.5 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.5 percentage points
– Total labor force: 2,952 people (157 unemployed)

marythebarberphotos // Shutterstock

#19. Franklin County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.3%
— 1-month change: Down 0.5 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
– Total labor force: 15,862 people (839 unemployed)

Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#18. Vermilion County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.3%
— 1-month change: Down 0.4 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.2 percentage points
– Total labor force: 31,702 people (1,678 unemployed)

Canva

#17. Kane County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.3%
— 1-month change: Down 1.0 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
– Total labor force: 266,000 people (14,041 unemployed)

Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#16. Johnson County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.4%
— 1-month change: Down 0.6 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.5 percentage points
– Total labor force: 4,223 people (229 unemployed)

Canva

#15. Lawrence County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.4%
— 1-month change: Down 0.6 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.9 percentage points
– Total labor force: 4,947 people (265 unemployed)

Canva

#14. Ogle County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.4%
— 1-month change: Down 0.7 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.1 percentage points
– Total labor force: 23,847 people (1,284 unemployed)

Canva

#13. Hardin County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.5%
— 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
– Total labor force: 1,436 people (79 unemployed)

Caileb Feik // Shutterstock

#12. Mercer County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.5%
— 1-month change: Down 0.5 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 1.4 percentage points
– Total labor force: 7,478 people (413 unemployed)

Canva

#11. Stark County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.6%
— 1-month change: Down 0.8 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.7 percentage points
– Total labor force: 2,384 people (133 unemployed)

Canva

#10. Knox County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.6%
— 1-month change: Down 0.4 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
– Total labor force: 20,151 people (1,130 unemployed)

Canva

#9. Peoria County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.6%
— 1-month change: Down 0.5 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.5 percentage points
– Total labor force: 81,294 people (4,528 unemployed)

Canva

#8. Macon County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.7%
— 1-month change: Down 0.5 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.1 percentage points
– Total labor force: 43,982 people (2,496 unemployed)

Canva

#7. Kankakee County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.7%
— 1-month change: Down 0.7 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.3 percentage points
– Total labor force: 51,466 people (2,932 unemployed)

Canva

#6. LaSalle County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.8%
— 1-month change: Down 0.8 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
– Total labor force: 50,861 people (2,959 unemployed)

Canva

#5. Winnebago County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.8%
— 1-month change: Down 0.6 percentage points
— 1-year change: Down 0.3 percentage points
– Total labor force: 129,475 people (7,514 unemployed)

Canva

#4. Bureau County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.9%
— 1-month change: Down 1.0 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 1.3 percentage points
– Total labor force: 15,506 people (922 unemployed)

Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#3. Alexander County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.0%
— 1-month change: Down 0.1 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 0.8 percentage points
– Total labor force: 1,815 people (108 unemployed)

JL Jahn // Shutterstock

#2. Boone County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.4%
— 1-month change: Down 1.5 percentage points
— 1-year change: Down 0.7 percentage points
– Total labor force: 24,413 people (1,569 unemployed)

Hank Shiffman // Shutterstock

#1. Pulaski County

– April unemployment rate (preliminary): 7.8%
— 1-month change: Up 0.9 percentage points
— 1-year change: Up 1.2 percentage points
– Total labor force: 1,631 people (127 unemployed)

This story features data reporting by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

ILLINOIS — On Thursday, a jury in New York convicted former President Donald J. Trump on 34 felony counts in his criminal hush money trial.

It’s the first-ever criminal case against a former U.S. president, and even as Trump still faces charges in three other cases, his sentencing in the hush money case is scheduled for July 11 — just four days before he’s set to officially become the nominee for president at the Republican National Convention.

While Trump’s conviction means he could be sentenced to anything from home confinement to probation to up to four years in prison, he is still eligible to run for president in 2024, and, as multiple outlets have noted, the former president will almost certainly file an appeal.

Patch wants to know — how do voters in Illinois feel? Take our survey below to let us know.

The survey is not scientific, but will give a general gauge of how Illinois Patch readers feel going into the 2024 presidential election. We will share the results in a follow up story.

CHICAGO (CBS) — A Chuck E. Cheese in downstate Illinois will be one of the select few to retain an animatronic band.

In November, Chuck E. Cheese announced that it would be pulling the plug on the animatronic performances at all locations but one in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles – where the company said Munch’s Make-Believe Band, as it’s known, would retain a “permanent residency.”

Chuck E. Cheese also said another location in Nanuet, New York, in Rockland County north of New York City, would retain the animatronic band—and remain a “100% retro store,” according to published reports.

But that was to be it.

In recent days, however, Chuck E. Cheese announced that three more locations would be keeping the robot band—including one at the Town & Country Shopping Center at 2369 S. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield, the state capital. Also on the list to keep the band are Chuck E. Cheese in Hicksville, Long Island, New York, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Earlier this month, Chuck E. Cheese President and Chief Executive Officer David McKillips told CBS News the company needed to keep up with the times and the interests of today’s kids. Thus, the animatronic band was on its way out, while trampoline zones, and floor-to-ceiling Jumbotrons overlooking digital dance floors, were on their way in.

“This is the most exciting time in the brand’s 47-year history,” McKillips told CBS News. “It’s a complete brand transformation here at Chuck E. Cheese.”

Active play areas are a major priority, McKillips said.

“Most importantly for mom, it’s bright, it’s clean, and now we’ve embraced active play installing trampolines in every single one of our locations coast to coast,” McKillips told CBS News.

He added that while Chuck E. Cheese has an “incredible legacy of bands,” it remains the reality that “like any other great brand, you have to evolve.”

Chuck E. Cheese has a grand total of 19 locations in Illinois, including two in Chicago—one in the Riverpoint Shopping Center at 1830 W. Fullerton Ave. along the Chicago River’s North Branch, the other at 5030 S. Kedzie Ave. in Gage Park. There are also 12 suburban locations, and five more either downstate or elsewhere in Northern Illinois. Chuck E. Cheese also has a location in Merrillville, Indiana.

Chuck E. Cheese and its animatronics date back over 40 years in Chicago, once had competition

Chuck E. Cheese was founded in 1977 by Atari’s co-founder, Nolan Bushnell, with the first location opening as Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza Time Theatre in San Jose, California. It was the first family restaurant to marry food with arcade games and animated entertainment.

Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza Time Theatre arrived in Illinois in 1981, with a location in Loves Park near Rockford. A Chicago location opened a couple of years later at the Harlem-Foster Shopping Center, at 7300 W. Foster Ave. on the city’s Northwest Side.

By contrast to today’s brightly-lit spaces, Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza Time Theatre back in the 1980s was composed of so many massive, dimly-lit rooms with arcade games, mini-carnival rides, Skee-Ball and Whac-A-Mole, ball pits, and mazes with rope ladders to climb.

The Foster Avenue location featured three different rooms of animatronic musical acts. A main dining room featuring the Pizza Time Players—Jasper T. Jowls, Helen Henny, Pasqually, Mr. Munch, and of course Chuck E. Cheese himself—who back then was depicted as a wisecracking rat with a New Jersey accent and attire that to some suggested a casino pit boss, rather than today’s mouse in a skateboarder outfit. Other party rooms featured a band of dogs called “The Beagles,” and a lion in a white and gold jumpsuit called “The King”—which mimed along to real recordings of The Beatles and Elvis Presley, respectively. A fourth animatronic act, jazz-singing hippo Dolli Dimples, was the first sight seen upon entering the amusement venue.

An April 1983 Chicago Tribune article held up Chuck E. Cheese as one of a few operations capitalizing on a trend of offering pizza, video games, and other family-friendly entertainment under one roof.

“Combination pizza restaurant/video game parlors have invaded the Chicago area like locusts in the last few months,” writer Richard Phillips wrote in the article. “By summer’s end, their number may well be doubled.”

Chuck E. Cheese’s main competitor at the time was ShowBiz Pizza Place—which at the time had just opened a location in Park Ridge as its fifth in the Chicago suburbs. ShowBiz had its own animatronic band known as the Rock-afire Explosion, fronted by a bear character called Billy Bob Brockali.

The article also highlighted a third operation that was strictly local—ShowTime America, previously and subsequently known as Sally’s Stage, at 6335 N. Western Ave. across from the Nortown movie theater in West Rogers Park. Sally’s Stage did not have any animatronics—it was famous for its Barton theater pipe organ and hostesses on a roller skate track. But Phillips’ article did note that as of April 1983—while under the ShowTime America name—Sally’s did feature free video games for patrons and “Roger, a remote-control robot, who [when functional] impresses kids with questions and dispenses free tickets for sundaes.”

Of these, only Chuck E. Cheese remains—and not the one on Foster Avenue, which later became a Little Ceasar’s Caesarland and is now a Planet Fitness gym. ShowBiz and Chuck E. Cheese merged after Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza Time Theatre filed for bankruptcy in 1984—and while they went on as separate concepts for a while, the Chuck E. Cheese name had prevailed for the whole operation by the early 90s. The site where Sally’s Stage once stood is now occupied by a Hanmi Bank. 

As of August of last year, Chuck E. Cheese operated 568 corporate and franchised locations, as well as 122 Peter Piper Pizza restaurants.