Federal Executive Branch
Here's a look at documents from the U.S. Executive Branch
Featured Stories
Tucson Airman and His Spouse Indicted for Defrauding the Department of War of Millions
PHOENIX, Arizona, Feb. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona posted the following news release on Feb. 19, 2026:
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Tucson Airman and his Spouse Indicted for Defrauding the Department of War of Millions
TUCSON, Ariz. -A federal grand jury has returned an indictment, charging a Tucson couple with a years long scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of War of millions of dollars, while using the illicit proceeds to curate and maintain a luxurious lifestyle, announced U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine.
On Feb. 11, 2026, a federal grand jury in Tucson returned a 12-count
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PHOENIX, Arizona, Feb. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona posted the following news release on Feb. 19, 2026:
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Tucson Airman and his Spouse Indicted for Defrauding the Department of War of Millions
TUCSON, Ariz. -A federal grand jury has returned an indictment, charging a Tucson couple with a years long scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of War of millions of dollars, while using the illicit proceeds to curate and maintain a luxurious lifestyle, announced U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine.
On Feb. 11, 2026, a federal grand jury in Tucson returned a 12-countindictment against U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Stefon Ramroop, 35, and his spouse, Manuel George Madrid, 32, both of Tucson, for Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Government Property, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Money Laundering.
"The defendants allegedly stole millions in taxpayer dollars from the U.S. Department of War to bankroll a lavish lifestyle, diverting critical resources away from their intended purpose," said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. "Every dollar taken through fraud is a dollar denied to the mission it was meant to support. The U.S. Attorney's Office and our federal and local law enforcement partners will hold accountable any individual who profits illegally at the expense of the American people."
"Military servicemembers hold a unique position in our society, where they are entrusted with large amounts of taxpayer dollars to ensure the defense of our nation," said IRS-CI Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarom Gregory. "When a servicemember abuses their position for personal gain, it erodes trust in the tax system and harms the very citizens they have sworn an oath to protect. IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to investigate allegations of theft of taxpayer funds and government property, ensuring the integrity of our nation's tax system."
"This indictment reflects the outcome of a coordinated effort between AFOSI and our federal counterparts," said Special Agent Richard Kautz, AFOSI Detachment 217 Commander. "Fraud of this level is not just a financial crime, it undermines public trust, diverts resources, and threatens the integrity of our force. Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar taken away from the security of our nation."
The indictment alleges that from January 2022 through on or about December 2025, Staff Sgt. Ramroop utilized his position in the pharmacy at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base to defraud the U.S. government by purchasing thousands of medical devices using taxpayer funds, and thereafter, stealing and reselling those devices with Madrid for their own personal gain.
According to court records from 2022 through 2025, bank accounts controlled by Ramroop and Madrid received over $11 million in fraud proceeds through wire transfers, Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposits, and other credits from companies engaged in the resale of medical test strips and devices. Meanwhile, the orders of these diverted medical devices cost the U.S. Department of War over $3 million.
The indictment also alleges that Ramroop and Madrid used the fraud proceeds to purchase luxury vehicles and real estate. Further, these purchases were allegedly made directly from the personal bank accounts of Ramroop and Madrid, the same bank accounts that had received fraud proceeds from the medical device sales.
For example, the proceeds were allegedly used to purchase, among other items, a million-dollar home in Tucson in February 2024, a new 2024 Porsche Cayenne Sport Utility Vehicle for $141,443.34 and a new BMW i7 Sport Utility Vehicle for $195,397.59.
According to the indictment, the vehicles, and others, were seized by law enforcement during the execution of a search warrant on Jan. 15, 2026.
A conviction for Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Government Property carries a maximum penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment. Each conviction for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Wire Fraud carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment. Each conviction for Money Laundering carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Courchaine commended the investigatory efforts of IRS-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) and members of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) to include Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), the Counter Narcotics Alliance (CAN), and the Marana, Mesa, and Tucson Police Departments.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution.
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An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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CASE NUMBER: 4:26-cr-00601-AMM-JEM
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026
-032_Ramroop et al.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-az/pr/tucson-airman-and-his-spouse-indicted-defrauding-department-war-millions
Treasury Secretary Bessent Announces 2026 G20 Finance Track Agenda and Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Asheville, N.C.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following news release on Feb. 19, 2026:
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Secretary Bessent Announces 2026 G20 Finance Track Agenda and Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Asheville, North Carolina
Today, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced the priorities and schedule for the 2026 G20 Finance Track, including hosting a meeting of the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina.
"Thanks to President Trump's pro-growth economic policies, the United States' economy is reaching historic
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following news release on Feb. 19, 2026:
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Secretary Bessent Announces 2026 G20 Finance Track Agenda and Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Asheville, North Carolina
Today, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced the priorities and schedule for the 2026 G20 Finance Track, including hosting a meeting of the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina.
"Thanks to President Trump's pro-growth economic policies, the United States' economy is reaching historicheights, and as the G20's Finance Track lead Treasury will leverage America's demonstrable economic success and bring the G20 back to its core mission by undertaking a streamlined, results-oriented approach for the group," said Secretary Bessent. "In close coordination with the State Department, we will execute on the President's agenda for the G20 by prioritizing pro-growth economic policies through modernizing financial regulation; strengthening our understanding of excessive global imbalances; enhancing debt transparency and facilitating debt restructuring processes; endorsing a vibrant digital assets ecosystem; improving cross-border payments and addressing payments fraud and scams; and promoting financial literacy."
In posting the schedule of meetings, Secretary Bessent added: "I am proud to spotlight that the United States will host the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina. The selection of historic Asheville reflects the Trump Administration's commitment to the revitalization and resilience of western North Carolina, which continues to rebuild after the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene."
The current schedule of in-person G20 Finance Track 2026 meetings includes:
* April 16 (Washington, DC): Finance ministers and central bank governors meeting.
* August 29-30 (Asheville, North Carolina): Finance and central bank deputies meeting.
* August 31 - September 1 (Asheville, North Carolina): Finance ministers and central bank governors meeting.
* October 15 (Bangkok, Thailand): Finance ministers and central bank governors meeting.
The United States' G20 host year will culminate with President Trump's Leaders' Summit on December 14-15, at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida.
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Original text here: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0398
SEC Litigation: Court Enters Final Judgment Against Investment Adviser & Advisory Firm for Breaches of Fiduciary Duties in Annuity Sales to Advisory Clients
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 3:23-cv-10589; D. Mass., filed Mar. 17, 2023):
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. Cutter Financial Group, LLC and Jeffrey Cutter, No. 3:23-cv-10589 (D. Mass., filed Mar. 17, 2023)
On February 10, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts entered a final judgment against Massachusetts-based investment adviser Jeffrey Cutter and his advisory firm, Cutter Financial Group LLC ("CFG"). The judgment orders CFG to pay a civil penalty of $100,000 and orders Cutter
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 3:23-cv-10589; D. Mass., filed Mar. 17, 2023):
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. Cutter Financial Group, LLC and Jeffrey Cutter, No. 3:23-cv-10589 (D. Mass., filed Mar. 17, 2023)
On February 10, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts entered a final judgment against Massachusetts-based investment adviser Jeffrey Cutter and his advisory firm, Cutter Financial Group LLC ("CFG"). The judgment orders CFG to pay a civil penalty of $100,000 and orders Cutterto pay a civil penalty of $50,000. The judgment requires Cutter and CFG to provide a copy of the judgment to all of their existing investment advisory clients and to all of their new investment advisory clients for a period of five years, and enjoins Cutter and CFG from future violations of Section 206(2) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Advisers Act") for a period of five years.
The entry of the final judgment follows an April 23, 2025 jury verdict after a seven day trial on the SEC's allegations that Cutter and CFG violated Sections 206(1), 206(2) and 206(4) of the Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-7 thereunder by, among other things, selling insurance products called fixed index annuities to their advisory clients without adequate disclosure of their financial incentive to recommend fixed index annuities over other investment options. The jury found the defendants liable for violating Section 206(2) of the Advisers Act and found for the defendants on the SEC's claims alleged under Sections 206(1) and 206(4) of the Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-7 thereunder.
The SEC's litigation was handled by Amy Burkart and David Fox of the Boston Regional Office.
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Resources
* Final Judgment (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2026/judg26485.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26485
Oregon Business Owner Sent to Prison for Employment Tax Crimes
PORTLAND, Oregon, Feb. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon posted the following news release on Feb. 19, 2026:
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Oregon Business Owner Sent to Prison for Employment Tax Crimes
The owner of a tree removal business was sentenced to prison today for willfully failing to pay over employment taxes to the IRS on behalf of the company she owned and operated.
Joyce Leard, 47, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and three years' supervised release. Leard was also ordered to pay $2,880,346.25 in restitution and $100 special assessment.
According to court documents
... Show Full Article
PORTLAND, Oregon, Feb. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon posted the following news release on Feb. 19, 2026:
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Oregon Business Owner Sent to Prison for Employment Tax Crimes
The owner of a tree removal business was sentenced to prison today for willfully failing to pay over employment taxes to the IRS on behalf of the company she owned and operated.
Joyce Leard, 47, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and three years' supervised release. Leard was also ordered to pay $2,880,346.25 in restitution and $100 special assessment.
According to court documentsand statements made in court, from approximately 2017 through 2024, Leard owned and operated Mr. Tree Inc., a Happy Valley, Oregon, company that provided tree removal and landscaping services to customers. The company advertised itself as being in business for thirty years and employed approximately 50 to 75 employees each year.
Leard was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from the wages of her employees and paying those funds over to the IRS each quarter, as well as filing quarterly employment tax returns with the IRS.
From the fourth quarter of 2018 through the fourth quarter of 2020, Leard withheld taxes from her employees' wages but did not pay over those taxes to the IRS or file quarterly employment tax returns. Instead, she used funds in Mr. Tree's business bank account to pay other expenses and creditors and purchased approximately $3.5 million of real estate. During this period, the company also did not file a corporate tax return, and, from 2018 through 2020, Leard did not file a personal income tax return, as required by law.
Leard's conduct caused a total tax loss of over $3.5 million.
On January 14, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 12-count indictment charging Leard with willful failure to account for and pay over tax and willful failure to file return.
On June 16, 2025, Leard pleaded guilty to one count of willful failure to account for and pay over tax.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Trial Attorneys J. Parker Gochenour and Megan E. Wessel of the Criminal Division's Tax Section prosecuted the case with substantial support from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/oregon-business-owner-sent-prison-employment-tax-crimes
Hanscom AFB Fitness Duo Excels in DEKA World Championship
HANSCOM AFB, Massachusetts, Feb. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Hanscom Air Force Base issued the following news:
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Hanscom AFB fitness duo excels in DEKA world championship
By Jaima Fogg
A two-man team from Hanscom AFB competed in the 2025 DEKA World Championship held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in December.
Kurt Peterson and Stephen Strosser, from the 66th Air Base Group Operational Support Team, placed third in the elite DEKA Mile men's team event.
"The DEKA World Championship is an annual fitness event designed to crown the best hybrid athletes in the world," Peterson said. "It's a gated,
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HANSCOM AFB, Massachusetts, Feb. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Hanscom Air Force Base issued the following news:
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Hanscom AFB fitness duo excels in DEKA world championship
By Jaima Fogg
A two-man team from Hanscom AFB competed in the 2025 DEKA World Championship held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in December.
Kurt Peterson and Stephen Strosser, from the 66th Air Base Group Operational Support Team, placed third in the elite DEKA Mile men's team event.
"The DEKA World Championship is an annual fitness event designed to crown the best hybrid athletes in the world," Peterson said. "It's a gated,invite-only event that serves as the culmination of the global DEKA season. Only the top 15 individuals and teams are invited."
In their OST roles on Hanscom AFB, the pair embed within units, coaching Airmen in physical fitness and readiness. They also teach nutrition courses and host the HanscomFit Challenge. Competing in the DEKA championship was a chance for them to shift focus to their own fitness goals.
"DEKA is a well-rounded event," Strosser said. "With this competition, you can't get away with having a weak link, or you're going to pay on the course."
The DEKA Mile consists of ten stations, each preceded by a tenth-of-a-mile run. The stations include 30 weighted reverse lunges, 500-meter row, 20 box jumps, 25 sit-ups with a medicine ball, 500-meter SkiErg, 100-meter farmers carry, a 25-calorie air bike, 20 dead ball-overs, a 100-meter tank push-pull and 20 burpees.
At first, the dynamic duo thought they might qualify for an age-group invitation, with the goal of competing at the elite level in two to three years.
As their training progressed, however, they realized qualifying for the elite competition was closer than they thought.
"As we trained, we got better and better and better," Peterson said. "We donned our exercise scientist lab coats, eking everything out of each other and trying to find what worked best."
The team competed in a qualifying DEKA Mile event Rhode Island in June and received an invitation to compete at the elite level in September.
Like other elite teams, they determined who was strongest in each event. Strosser took the solo running events and dead ball-overs, and Peterson took three events, including the air bike. They divided the remaining stations.
To gain an edge over the competition, they developed a strategy of filming themselves performing the events. Post training, they'd review the footage to identify where they could conserve energy and where they needed to push harder.
"We were really in the weeds, filming ourselves doing simulations of the events," Strosser said. "I knew that if the other teams did what they did the year before, we were going to win. No team in the top five had a strategy like ours."
After qualifying in June, the two buckled down even further and trained harder.
Peterson increased his workouts to five days a week and pushed himself to perform at his maximum heart rate.
Strosser ran almost every day, sometimes multiple times per day, and strength trained. One day each week was dedicated to simulating the DEKA Mile events together.
"We were 100 percent all in," Strosser said.
They weren't going to Florida just to compete.
"We were going to win," Peterson said.
Competition Day
Going into the competition, their team mentality was strong.
Peterson said he was confident they were in top shape mentally and physically.
"I knew I wasn't going to let Stephen down and I knew he wouldn't let me down," he said.
Competition rules state that teams must start and finish the run legs of the race together but may divide the stations and middle run segments.
Peterson would complete the row, sit-ups and air bike solo. Strosser ran all legs of the race and completed the ball-overs solo. They divided the lunges, box jumps, SkiErg, farmers carry, tank push-pull and burpees.
Competition between all teams was close through the first four stations.
At the fifth event, the SkiErg, Peterson and Strosser broke out of the pack into second place. The next stations were the farmers carry and air bike, where they were neck and neck with their top competitors.
During the race, a commentator said, "Everyone knows that the bike is going to win it at the end of the day. So, if you don't have that bike power on your team, you've got to sell out in the first six stations."
Peterson crushed the bike, vaulting him and Strosser into first place.
With three stations and three-tenths of a mile to go, they weren't out of the woods. The second- and third-place teams were hot on their heels.
Strosser and Peterson maintained their lead through the dead ball-overs and tank push-pull just ahead of the other teams.
Physically drained and with only seconds separating them from their competitors, they needed to complete one final run and 20 burpees before the finish line.
Strosser said he was more tired than usual but was determined not to let his teammate down and to finish strong.
"I know how hard he worked, so I was not going to slip up," he said.
Finish Line
The duo kept their lead and outpaced the other teams. They were first to cross the finish line with a time of 14 minutes, 48 seconds, 10 seconds faster than the second-place team.
However, as they caught their breath, they realized that their underdog victory would be short lived.
Race officials determined that Strosser left the air bike station for the next event with 0.4 calories remaining on the bike's countdown meter. The team was assessed a 20-second penalty, dropping them to third place.
"It was disappointing," Peterson said. "We had been preparing for a long time for this singular moment."
The Team Hanscom duo is determined to compete again in 2026 with the goal of claiming the world champion title.
"We'll do better next year because of this setback," Strosser said.
The DEKA World Championship consists of three events: DEKA Fit, DEKA Mile and DEKA Strong.
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Original text here: https://www.hanscom.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4410025/hanscom-afb-fitness-duo-excels-in-deka-world-championship/
CPSC Issues Recall Alert Involving Meijer One-Piece Footed 12-, 18-and 24-month Children's Sleepwear
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on Feb. 19, 2026:
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Name of Product: Meijer one-piece footed 12-, 18-and 24-month children's sleepwear
Hazard: The recalled sleepwear violates the mandatory flammability standard for children's sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.
Remedy: Refund
Recall Date: February 19, 2026
Units: About 211,520
Consumer Contact: Meijer toll-free at 800-927-8699 or online at https://www.meijer.com/recalls/KB0020513 or https://www.meijer.com/ and click on "Product Recalls" at the bottom of
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on Feb. 19, 2026:
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Name of Product: Meijer one-piece footed 12-, 18-and 24-month children's sleepwear
Hazard: The recalled sleepwear violates the mandatory flammability standard for children's sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.
Remedy: Refund
Recall Date: February 19, 2026
Units: About 211,520
Consumer Contact: Meijer toll-free at 800-927-8699 or online at https://www.meijer.com/recalls/KB0020513 or https://www.meijer.com/ and click on "Product Recalls" at the bottom ofthe page for more information.
Recall Details
Description: This recall involves 10 different styles in various colors and patterns of 12-, 18-and 24-month size MCS and Lullaby Lane branded one-piece footed sleepwear. The brand, size and "Made in Thailand" are printed on the neck of the garment. The sleepwear has the following style number located on a sewn-in, side-seam label:
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Brand ... Style/Name
MCS ... 7903815 - Heart
MCS ... 7903816 - XOXO
MCS ... 7903824 - Lucky Shamrock
MCS ... 7903830 - Bunny
Lullaby Lane ... 7904011 - Airplane; Animal Print; Animals; Apples; Camping; Daisies; Dinos; Duckies; Elephants; Forest; Highland Cow; Safari Lilac; Safari White; Sheep; Toile Floral; Bees
Lullaby Lane ... 7904012 - Meadow; Sharks; Star and Moon; Strawberries
Lullaby Lane ... 7904013 - Chalk Blue; Green; Heather Grey; Pastel Lilac; Pink A Boo; Powder Blue
MCS ... 7904907 - Beige Heather Halloween
Lullaby Lane ... 7905217 - Dinos Blue; Dinos Pink; Fair Isle; Heart; Multi Check; Penguin Pink; Penguin Iced Aqua; Polar Bear; Trees
Lullaby Lane ... 7905217 - Buffalo Check; Reindeer Heads; Gingerbread; Trees
Lullaby Lane ... 7905218 - Arctic Scene; Bows
MCS ... 7905646 - Cupids Bows; Shamrocks
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Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled sleepwear and return the product to a Meijer store for a full refund.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold At: Meijer stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Kentucky from December 2024 through October 2025 for about $5 through $12.
Importer(s): Meijer Distribution, Inc., of Grand Rapids, Michigan
Manufactured In: Thailand
Recall number: 26-275
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Original text here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Meijer-Recalls-Lullaby-Lane-and-MCS-Childrens-Sleepwear-Due-to-Burn-Hazard-Violates-Mandatory-Standard-for-Childrens-Sleepwear
BLS Midwest Region Issues Report on Changing Compensation Costs in the Chicago Metropolitan Area December 2025
CHICAGO, Illinois, Feb. 20 (TNSLrpt) -- Changing Compensation Costs in the Chicago Metropolitan Area December 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Midwest Region - Feb. 19, 2026
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Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 4.9 percent in the Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI Combined Statistical Area (CSA) for the year ending in December 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that one year ago, Chicago experienced an annual gain of 2.7 percent in compensation
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CHICAGO, Illinois, Feb. 20 (TNSLrpt) -- Changing Compensation Costs in the Chicago Metropolitan Area December 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Midwest Region - Feb. 19, 2026
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Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 4.9 percent in the Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI Combined Statistical Area (CSA) for the year ending in December 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that one year ago, Chicago experienced an annual gain of 2.7 percent in compensationcosts. (See chart 1 and table 1.) Nationwide, compensation costs rose 3.4 percent in December 2025.
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Chart 1. Twelve-month percent changes in total compensation for private industry workers in the United States and Chicago, not seasonally adjusted
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Locally, wages and salaries, the largest component of compensation costs, advanced at a 4.8-percent pace for the 12-month period ended December 2025. (See chart 2.) Nationwide, wages and salaries rose 3.3 percent over the same period.
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Chart 2. Twelve-month percent changes in wages and salaries for private industry workers in the United States and Chicago, not seasonally adjusted
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Chicago is 1 of 15 metropolitan areas in the United States and 1 of 3 areas in the Midwest region of the country for which locality compensation cost data are available. Among these 15 largest areas, over-the-year percentage changes in compensation costs ranged from 4.9 percent in Chicago to 1.9 percent in Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor in December 2025; for wages and salaries, Chicago registered the largest increase (4.8 percent), and Washington-Baltimore-Arlington registered the smallest (2.4 percent). (See chart 3.)
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Chart 3. Twelve-month percent changes in total compensation and wages and salaries for private industry workers by area, not seasonally adjusted, December 2025
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The annual increase in compensation costs in Chicago was 4.9 percent in December 2025, compared to 3.8 percent in Minneapolis-St. Paul and 1.9 percent in Detroit, the two other metropolitan areas in the Midwest. Chicago's 4.8-percent gain in wages and salaries over this 12-month period compared to 3.7 percent in Minneapolis and 3.1 percent in Detroit. (See table 2.)
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The Employment Cost Index for March 2026 is scheduled to be released on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. (ET).
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Technical Note
Locality compensation costs are part of the national Employment Cost Index (ECI), which measures quarterly changes in compensation costs (wages and salaries and employer costs for employee benefits) free from the influence of employment shifts among occupations and industries. More information can be found in the national Employment Cost Index Technical Note. For information on survey concepts, coverage, methods, nonresponse adjustment, and imputation see the Employment Cost Index Handbook of Methods.
In addition to the data presented here, ECI national data by industry, occupational group, and union status, as well as data for civilian, private, and state and local government employees, are available on the Employment Cost Index website. The national Employment Cost Index Summary is also available online. Additional information for regions, states, and local areas may be accessed via our Midwest Information Office regional homepage.
The substate area data published in this news release reflect the Office of Management and Budget Bulletin No. 23-01, dated July 21, 2023. See the Tracking Wage Growth in American Cities page for more information on available geographies and their historical timelines.
The Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI Combined Statistical Area (CSA) includes Bureau, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry, Putnam, and Will Counties in Illinois; Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, and Porter Counties in Indiana; and Kenosha County in Wisconsin.
Information in this release will be made available to individuals with sensory impairments upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Telecommunications Relay Service: 7-1-1.
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Table 1. Employment Cost Index 12-month percent changes for total compensation and for wages and salaries, private industry workers, United States, Midwest Census region, and the Chicago area, not seasonally adjusted
Table 2. Employment Cost Index 12-month percent changes for total compensation and for wages and salaries, private industry workers, United States, Census regions, and localities, not seasonally adjusted
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View original text plus charts and tables here: https://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/news-release/2026/employmentcostindex_chicago_20260219.htm
