Nearly 1,000 workers across Illinois are expected to lose their jobs during the first half of the year, according to recent data released through the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act. A spreadsheet published by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shows that employers across several industries issued layoff notices affecting a total of 985 employees during November alone.
State officials reported that most of the layoffs are scheduled to begin in early January, with the bulk expected to take effect during the current and following weeks. Additional job reductions are set to start later in the month, including some beginning on January 19. The figures reflect only those employers required to file notices under the WARN Act, which applies to companies that meet specific employee thresholds. Smaller businesses are not required to report layoffs under the law, meaning the total number of job losses statewide could be higher.
The largest single layoff involves insurance agency and brokerage Norvax LLC, which operates from its corporate headquarters at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. According to the WARN report, the company began laying off 487 employees as part of a restructuring effort. Shortly after the layoff notice became public, a class action law firm announced it was reviewing the circumstances surrounding the job cuts at Norvax LLC and GoHealth LLC, which share the same Chicago office address. GoHealth did not immediately provide a response to a request for comment regarding the reported layoffs.
Significant reductions are also planned in the health care sector. Oak Street Health, which is owned by CVS Health, is set to lay off 219 employees beginning January 9. The announcement follows earlier statements from CVS Health indicating plans to close 16 Oak Street Health primary care clinics nationwide, including a location in Chicago, citing underperformance at those sites. The layoffs are part of broader operational changes as the company reevaluates its clinic footprint.
Manufacturing jobs are also being affected. Printpack LLC, which operates a manufacturing facility in Elgin, has announced plans to lay off 111 employees as the plant prepares for permanent closure. The shutdown will eliminate all remaining positions at the facility, marking a significant loss of manufacturing employment in the area.
Additional layoffs reported over the past 90 days include workforce reductions at Essedant in Greenville, affecting 44 employees, and NSI and Remke Industries in Vernon Hills, where 42 workers are expected to be laid off. PharmaCann, a cannabis company operating in Dwight, has also issued notices impacting 82 employees.
The latest WARN data also indicates that several employers expanded previously announced layoffs. Companies including Capital One and Discover, Nordstrom Credit, and OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center reported additional job cuts beyond earlier projections. These revisions suggest ongoing adjustments as businesses respond to shifting economic conditions, operational restructuring, and changing market demands.
State officials continue to monitor WARN filings to track employment trends and provide affected workers with information about available resources. While WARN notices offer advance warning of significant job losses, they represent only part of the broader employment picture in Illinois, as companies across industries navigate ongoing economic uncertainty and strategic changes.
