Illinois Remote Work Resources

 

From the vast fertile plains of rural Illinois to the deep skyscraper canyons of Chicago, the “Prairie State” ranks highly for telecommuting opportunities. Whether you’re a current resident or are looking to move, read on for a list of Illinois remote work resources.

 

About Illinois

With the cosmopolitan city of Chicago, sprawling suburbs, and large agricultural industry, Illinois is a state unlike any other. If you live you in Chicago, chances are you love the hustle and bustle of a really big city. With a population of over 2.7 million, it is the third-largest city in the United States. You may also be a huge sports fan, who’s partial to the lovable losers, also known as the Cubs! Or maybe you prefer the arts? Chicago is also renowned for its museums and art galleries, including the Art Institute of Chicago with the largest collection of Impressionist works outside Paris, France. Largely agricultural outside of the Chicago area, Illinois’s main crop is corn, but the state is also the number one pumpkin-producing state, delivering more than 500 million pounds annually to the pumpkin-loving public.

However, even in this land of extremes, it doesn’t matter where you live because there are plenty of remote job opportunities available. This is especially true in the professional business services, healthcare, and education industries.

“Illinois surpasses every other spot of equal extent upon the face of the globe in fertility of soil and in the proportionable amount of the same which is sufficiently level for actual cultivation.” –Abraham Lincoln

Five Fast Facts about Working in Illinois

  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of unemployed people in Illinois dropped a whopping 13.2% during 2019, and wages increased a respectable 0.7% over the same period.
  • In the greater Chicago metropolitan area, education and health services had the largest employment gain from 2018 to 2019 with a growth rate of 2.9%, higher than the nationwide advance of 2.5%.
  • The unemployment rate in Illinois as of December 2019 was 3.7%, the lowest unemployment rate in state history, but slightly higher than the national average of 3.5%.
  • Illinois is investing $100 million to make Illinois the quantum computing capital of the world via a University of Illinois and University of Chicago partnership.
  • Chicago prices for housing, food, and utilities are more reasonable than those in the country’s largest metropolitan areas, but over the last 12 months, the Chicago area consumer price index increased by 2.2%.

Illinois Mean Wages

The hourly mean wage in Illinois is $25.86 and the average annual salary is $53,790 according to the latest statistics by the BLS. This is higher than the national averages of $24.98 per hour and $51,960 annually. However, with an average of $26.76 hourly in May 2018, wages are higher in the Chicago metropolitan area, about 7% above the nationwide average.

While overall wages in the state increased by 0.7%, wages increased at a faster pace in Winnebago County. With a 7.6% increase between the fourth quarter of 2017 to the fourth quarter of 2018, this was the largest increase in Illinois and 10th nationwide. The upward pressure may be caused by a skills shortage in the county’s healthy manufacturing industry.

Illinois increased the minimum wage to $9.25 on  Jan. 1, 2020, and has also made a commitment to increase the minimum wage to $15 by the year 2025.

Remote Work Incentives in Illinois

Although some economic development organizations within Illinois are exploring how promoting remote work can benefit individual counties, there are currently no incentives to employers or employees regarding telecommuting. On the state level there are also no programs or incentives promoting telecommuting, although the Illinois Broadband Advisory Council is recommending that broadband services be expanded into rural areas to provide those who live, or want to live, in rural Illinois, the technology required to work from home.

 

Remote-Enabled Companies with Hubs in Illinois

While many corporations have their headquarters in the Chicago area, some of the state’s largest employers are located in the smaller economic centers, including Evanston, Springfield, and Bloomington. Below is a curated selection of telecommute-friendly companies in Illinois with a history of advertising for remote positions.

Abbott

Located in the Abbott Park suburb of Chicago, Abbott is a global healthcare and research firm that produces a wide variety of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostic tools.

Allstate Insurance Company

Allstate Insurance Company in Northbrook, Illinois, is a publicly held property and casualty insurance provider that provides a comprehensive range of auto, home, and life insurance and investment products.

Artisan for Hire, Inc.

Chicago-based Artisan for Hire, Inc. is a boutique staffing agency that focuses on digital, marketing, and creative talent for clients from small agencies to large corporations.

Be Found Online

Be Found Online (BFO) is a digital marketing company that offers clients search engine optimization, social media management, and digital analytics services.

Chamberlain College of Nursing

Chamberlain College of Nursing (Chamberlain University) is a private nursing college that offers both online and on-campus degree programs from bachelor’s degrees to doctorate degress. The school’s main campus is located in the Downers Grove suburb of Chicago, but there are campus locations in multiple states.

Discover Financial Services

One of the most recognized brands in the U.S., Discover Financial Services is a direct banking and payment services company located in Riverwoods, Illinois, and one of the state’s largest employers. Their products include the Discover card as well as a range of loans, deposit accounts, and certificates of deposit.

Flexera Software

Headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Flexera Software provides asset management and software monetization products, as well as software licensing, compliance, and security and installation solutions to more than 80,000 customers.

The Jacobson Group

Based in Chicago, The Jacobson Group is a staffing agency that specializes in executive search, temporary staffing, recruiting, and subject matter experts for the insurance industry.

JLL

Headquartered in Chicago, JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle, IP, Inc.) is a real estate investment firm that purchases, develops, and invests in a variety of properties around the globe including industrial, commercial, retail, residential and hotel real estate.

VocoVision

Coming in #2 in the Virtual Vocation’s Top 100 Companies to Watch for Remote Jobs in 2020, VocoVision offers therapy and educational services for children using mobile and online applications to provide access to specialized professionals regardless of location or disability. Headquartered in Skokie, Illinois, the company fills positions for multiple school districts in Indiana that require state licensing and residence.

 

Illinois Coworking Centers for Remote Work

If you’re looking to build a professional network, access specialized programming or equipment, or simply find a well-equipped space where you can get stuff done, there are plenty of coworking spaces located throughout Illinois. Most coworking spaces are subscription-based, so be sure to shop around for the best deal as well as the amenities that suit your needs the best. Below is a small sample of the coworking organizations that Illinois has to choose from.

You’ll find even more Illinois remote work resources and stats in our infographic below! You may also view the Illinois Remote Work Resources Infographic as a PDF, which will allow you to access the URLs hyperlinked throughout the image as well as the links attached to the Virtual Vocations logo and social media icons.

DOWNLOAD THE ILLINOIS REMOTE WORK RESOURCES INFOGRAPHIC PDF

How Virtual Vocations Can Assist You in Your Illinois Remote Job Search

From the busy streets of Chicago to the vast farmlands of rural Illinois, Virtual Vocations can help you find the perfect remote position. As a member, you will have access to the tens of thousands of telecommuting jobs and up-to-date profiles on more than 20,000 companies that have been carefully researched and verified by our dedicated team.

In addition, you can find an entire toolbox of services and resources to help you be successful in your remote job search and transition to the remote lifestyle. These services include:

  • The Telecommute Handbook – Everything you need to know as a new telecommuter.
  • Courses on Telecommuting – A selection of online “how-to” courses to help you transition.
  • Interview Guide for Telecommuters – What can you expect in a remote job interview? Find out with this guide.
  • Industry Guides for Telecommuters – What about your industry? Is it friendly to remote workers? This guide is for you.
  • Discounted Telecommute Resume, LinkedIn, and Cover Letter Writing Services – Optimize your job search documents for a remote position by securing our writing services.
  • Telecommute Proposal Pack and Request Form – Learn how to approach your current employer with your remote work request.

When you sign up as a premium member you gain full access to the resources above in addition to exclusive job listings. Sign up today!

Are you searching for an Illinois remote job, or are you a current remote worker in Illinois? Share your story when you connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook and Twitter. We’d love to know your thoughts about our Illinois remote work resources!


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