CHICAGO — Nearly 1,500 workers in the Chicago area are expected to lose their jobs in the coming weeks, according to newly released figures from state officials tracking corporate layoffs under the federal WARN Act.
Multiple Industries Hit as Companies Restructure or Shut Down
The job losses are spread across a wide range of sectors including food processing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, tech, and venue management. Data from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shows that more than half a dozen companies across the region have filed official Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notices as required under federal law.
Among the largest impacts:
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Johnsonville’s Momence Packing Plant in Kankakee County abruptly shut down on June 2, leaving nearly 300 employees jobless. Although they’ll continue to receive pay and benefits through August, the meatpacking work will now be shifted to operations in other states.
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CareerBuilder + Monster Worldwide, the merged job recruitment giant, is shutting down its U.S. headquarters in Chicago’s Loop, resulting in the loss of almost 400 jobs by August 4, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
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In St. Charles, Ametek Inc., an electronics manufacturer, will lay off 167 workers as it closes its Illinois facility, as reported by the Des Moines Register.
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Bristol Myers Squibb is pulling out of its Libertyville site, where 133 employees will be let go as viral vector production moves elsewhere (Fierce Pharma reports).
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Cleveland Cliffs, a steel manufacturer, is closing three locations — including one in Riverdale — cutting nearly 300 jobs in the Chicago suburban community.
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Oak View Group, which had managed operations at McCormick Place, will lay off 203 workers after losing its venue management contract.
Statewide Impact Reaches Beyond Chicago
The Chicago-area layoffs are part of a broader wave of job losses sweeping across Illinois. According to the Peoria Journal-Star, nearly 2,100 employees across 14 companies are facing layoffs statewide over the summer months.
This includes:
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Carle Health, which is laying off over 600 workers as it winds down two subsidiaries in Champaign, according to The News-Gazette.
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A total of 536 employees have been affected by WARN notices just in the last 30 days, with nearly 5,000 statewide over the past 90 days.
What Is the WARN Act and How It Protects Workers
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act) requires businesses with 75 or more employees to provide at least 60 days of advance notice of mass layoffs or plant closings. This is meant to allow workers time to prepare, seek retraining, or begin job searches with some financial continuity.
The Illinois Department of Commerce publishes these layoff notices publicly, and job seekers can view them on the Illinois WorkNet WARN data site.
Economic Experts Say Layoffs Reflect Post-Pandemic Industry Shifts
Analysts suggest these layoffs are not necessarily a sign of economic collapse but rather part of post-pandemic corporate restructuring. Industries like tech, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing are adjusting to automation, remote operations, and global supply chain pressures, while others — like job recruitment firms — are facing market contractions.
Still, the effects are very real for affected workers.
“While Chicago’s overall job market remains strong in many sectors, these layoffs are a reminder that thousands of families remain vulnerable to sudden economic shocks,” said a labor policy researcher at the University of Illinois.
What Comes Next for Laid-Off Workers?
Impacted employees may qualify for:
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Severance packages
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Unemployment benefits
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Job placement and retraining support
State officials urge those affected to visit Illinois WorkNet for assistance with job transitions, resume building, interview coaching, and workforce development programs.
Have you or someone you know been affected by these layoffs? Share your story in the comments or reach out to our newsroom. We’re covering how these job losses are impacting real people across Chicagoland.
