Illinois quick hits: US Steel reopening Granite City furnace; unemployment down slightly

Illinois quick hits: US Steel reopening Granite City furnace; unemployment down slightly

December 5, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

US Steel reopening Granite City furnace

U.S. Steel says customer demand has driven the company to begin the process of restarting one of two blast furnaces at Granite City Works.

U.S. Steel President and CEO David B. Burritt said in a statement that the company is confident in its ability to safely and profitably operate the mill to meet 2026 demand.

The Granite City reopening comes after President Donald Trump’s administration agreed to a merger deal between U.S. Steel and Nippon earlier this year.

Unemployment down slightly

The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the state’s unemployment rate in August was 4.7%, down slightly from July but higher than the national rate of 4.5%.

According to the Illinois Policy Institute, only 5,900 jobs were created in Illinois from August 2024 to August 2025.

The biggest gains came from private education and health services, which added 18,600 positions.

State Museum reaccredited

The Illinois State Museum has been reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

ISM said it conducted a year of self-study and hosted a site visit by peer reviewers to earn the accreditation.

Established in 1877, the Illinois State Museum is headquartered in Springfield with branch facilities in Lewistown and Lockport.

Christen Smith contributed to this report.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Target sued for checking arrest records of new hires: Class action

Target sued for checking arrest records of new hires: Class action

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square CHICAGO — Target has been hit by a new class action lawsuit accusing it of violating Illinois state law by conducting criminal...
Farm bill, with changes, heads to U.S. House for vote

Farm bill, with changes, heads to U.S. House for vote

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After more than 22 hours of debate, the Agriculture Committee in the House of Representatives voted early Thursday morning to advance the Farm, Food, and...
Agency improves license processing times; PA leader calls for modernization

Agency improves license processing times; PA leader calls for modernization

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation says it has reduced the average processing time for...
These are the members of Congress who voted against disclosing sexual harassment claims

These are the members of Congress who voted against disclosing sexual harassment claims

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Nearly all members of Congress, 357 Republicans and Democrats, don’t want taxpayers to know which members have used taxpayer funds to pay sexual harassment claims....
House Republicans re-pass DHS funding bill in symbolic vote

House Republicans re-pass DHS funding bill in symbolic vote

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House re-passed the 2026 Homeland Security funding bill in a symbolic vote Thursday, amping up pressure on Democrats as DHS remains shuttered while...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker to Noem: 'Don't let the door hit you'

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker to Noem: ‘Don’t let the door hit you’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s legacy is corruption and chaos. In...
Trump's newest tariff program won't raise nearly as much money

Trump’s newest tariff program won’t raise nearly as much money

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's newest tariffs, which already face a legal challenge in court, could increase deficits by $1.6 billion over the next decade, if they...
Legal experts: Supreme Court should decide energy policy framework over climate lawsuits

Legal experts: Supreme Court should decide energy policy framework over climate lawsuits

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the fall over a case to decide whether states can sue fossil fuel companies for damages related...
Judge orders tariff refunds, but Friday's hearing could set course

Judge orders tariff refunds, but Friday’s hearing could set course

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The government must refund more than $130 billion in tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump's unconstitutional tariff regime, even to those who did not file...
Iran War Powers resolution fails in House

Iran War Powers resolution fails in House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Congressional efforts to halt the U.S. military’s operations in Iran have now failed twice, with the U.S. House tanking a War Powers Resolution only a...
WATCH: Democratic officials sue Trump over new tariff

WATCH: Democratic officials sue Trump over new tariff

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general across the U.S. sued the Trump administration Thursday to stop the implementation of a new 15% global tariff under Section 122 of...
Chicago police monitor Iran-U.S. conflict; public advised to be aware

Chicago police monitor Iran-U.S. conflict; public advised to be aware

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Police say they are monitoring the U.S. conflict in Iran. Residents and visitors observed a significant...
Noem ousted as secretary of Homeland Security; Mullin to succeed

Noem ousted as secretary of Homeland Security; Mullin to succeed

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump is nominating Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma as the next Homeland Security Secretary. On Thursday, the second-term Republican decided to reassign...
DHS remains shuttered after third failed vote to reopen it

DHS remains shuttered after third failed vote to reopen it

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Senate Democrats tanked the Department of Homeland Security funding bill for the third time Thursday, ensuring the department’s funding lapse will continue for at least...
Walz, Ellison face resignation calls during House fraud hearing

Walz, Ellison face resignation calls during House fraud hearing

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison on Wednesday faced calls to step down during a hearing of the U.S. House Oversight Committee...