Nearly 4,000 Illinois Workers Impacted by Layoffs at Major Companies

Treehouse Foods, Walgreens, Wells Fargo, and others announce significant job cuts across the state

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:50am

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Businesses across Illinois, including manufacturers, retailers, and healthcare providers, have announced nearly 4,000 layoffs in recent months. The impacted companies range from large national brands like Walgreens and Panera Bread to local operations like the TreeHouse Foods plant in South Beloit. The layoffs come amid broader economic challenges and corporate restructuring efforts.

Why it matters

These layoffs reflect the ongoing volatility in the job market, particularly in industries like manufacturing, retail, and healthcare that have faced significant disruption in recent years. The scale of the job losses will have a major impact on local communities and raise concerns about the state's economic recovery.

The details

The layoffs span a range of industries, including food manufacturing, pharmacy, banking, and healthcare. TreeHouse Foods is shutting down its South Beloit cookie and cracker plant, impacting 168 workers, as part of a $2.9 billion acquisition. Walgreens is laying off 469 employees from its Deerfield headquarters and Chicago offices. Wells Fargo is closing its Rosemont office, resulting in 45 job losses. Franciscan Health Olympia Fields is shedding 1,930 hospital and lab employees after being acquired by Prime Healthcare. Several other manufacturers and retailers, including First Brands Group, H&M, and Panera Bread, are also cutting hundreds of jobs in Illinois.

  • TreeHouse Foods layoffs to begin on April 17, 2026.
  • Walgreens layoffs to occur in March and April 2026.
  • Wells Fargo layoffs to take place in March, April, and April 18, 2026.
  • Franciscan Health Olympia Fields layoffs scheduled for April 1, 2026.
  • First Brands Group layoffs to happen in February and March 2026.

The players

TreeHouse Foods Inc.

A large private label brand food and snack company that is being acquired by European Industrial F&B Investments III, Inc. for $2.9 billion.

Walgreens

A national pharmacy chain that is now operating as a private standalone company following its acquisition by Sycamore Partners, a New York private equity firm, in partnership with Stefano Pessina and his family.

Wells Fargo

A major national bank that is closing its Rosemont, Illinois office as part of a broader restructuring.

Franciscan Health Olympia Fields

A 214-bed hospital system that was acquired by Prime Healthcare, resulting in layoffs of hospital and lab employees.

First Brands Group LLC

An auto parts manufacturer that is filing for bankruptcy, closing 17 plants, and selling many of its brands to Premium Guard Inc.

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What’s next

The layoffs are expected to have a significant impact on local communities across Illinois, raising concerns about the state's economic recovery. Policymakers and community leaders will likely need to address the fallout from these job losses in the coming months.

The takeaway

These widespread layoffs at major employers reflect the ongoing volatility in the job market, particularly in industries that have faced significant disruption. The scale of the job losses will test the resilience of local economies and underscore the need for policies that support workers and communities impacted by these changes.