Layoffs in Illinois

WARN Act notice indicates multiple retailers will make job cuts soon

Major retailers in Illinois are set to lay off hundreds of people in the coming months, according to the state’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act.

The latest layoffs are part of the state law commonly known as the WARN Act, which requires employers with 75 employees or more to notify the state when they plan to layoff workers.

Under the Act, employers must give workers at least 60 days notice for a plant closure or a “mass” layoff. Some of the companies to send out WARN notices to employees in Illinois this March included T-Mobile, Saks Fifth Avenue, Everest Insurance in Chicago; pharmaceutical company Rising Pharma Holdings Inc. in Decatur; Windy City Supply Chain LLC in Chicago; and pallet supplier Millwood out of Melrose Park.

In 2026, Illinois is set to see nearly 4,000 layoffs across various industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. Major companies like Walgreens, Panera Bread, and Wells Fargo are among those affected. The WARN Act requires employers to provide advance notice of these layoffs, ensuring affected workers have time to prepare for job loss and seek alternative employment. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Local Workforce Innovation Areas (LWIAs) provides services to employers and individuals affected by layoffs, including reporting and support services.