Want to work for the best employer in IL? Forbes says these are the top 10 places

Two Illinois employers cracked the top 10 in Forbes’ latest ranking of the best mid-sized employers in America.

The media company annually ranks companies of varying sizes with more than 1,000 workers based on feedback from real employees. Forbes partners with Statista for the analysis, and looks at pay, training opportunities, work environment, promotions and more.

This year, two Illinois employers, Silver Cross Hospital and Morningstar, made the top 10 cut for best mid-sized employers, those with 1,000 to 5,000 workers, while another made the top 100 best large employers, a ranking that looked at companies with 5,000 or more workers.

In the 2024 ranking, Aldi, a lower-cost grocery chain based in Batavia, was among Forbes’ top employers.

IL has 2 of the best mid-sized employers in the US, Forbes says

In its Feb. 12 analysis, Forbes included two Illinois companies in its best mid-sized employers list. Chicago-based Morningstar, a company that offers services to investors, ranked No. 7 in the country, while Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox came in the No. 10 spot.

“We’re honored to be named one of America’s Best Midsize Employers by Forbes. The recognition is a testament to what makes Morningstar unique: our strong workplace culture, commitment to employee growth, and shared purpose in our mission of empowering investor success,” chief people and culture officer Marie Trzupek Lynch said in part, in an emailed statement. “Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Morningstar.”

Forbes also ranked the company No. 114 in America on its “most trusted” list, and reports it employs around 3,400 people. The company has several open, Chicago-based positions listed on Linkedin as of Feb. 26, with advertised salaries ranging from $54,100 to upwards of $166,000.

As of Jan. 1, Illinois requires employers of more than 15 workers to include wage information in their job listings.

The second Illinois company to appear high on Forbes’ best mid-sized list, Silver Cross Hospital in Will County, employs around 3,800 workers, according to the analysis. The hospital offers a variety of specialty care options, including a robotic surgery program.

“This is an incredible testament to our culture of safety, quality, excellence, inclusivity and collaboration, which is driven by our mission to improve the health of those who serve and advance wellness in our community,” Debra Robbins, director of marketing and communications for the hospital, said, in part, of the Forbes ranking. “We pride ourselves on treating our staff the same way we treat our patients — like family. And just like any family, we trust, respect and appreciate one another.”

The hospital has 203 posted job openings on its website as of this week, covering a wide variety of disciplines and pay scales.

Closer to the metro-east, Southern Illinois Healthcare in Carbondale was one of the top 10 Illinois-based mid-sized employers, ranking No. 41 in the U.S.

Illinois companies didn’t rank as highly in Forbes’ separate analysis of large employers — those with 5,000-plus employees. Hyatt Hotels, a chain based in Chicago, was the highest-ranked Illinois company on the list at the No. 62 spot.

Forbes’ best large employers in Illinois

These are the best large Illinois companies to work for in 2025, according to Forbes:

1. Hyatt Hotels, Chicago (ranked No. 62 overall)

2. Caterpillar, Deerfield (ranked No. 113 overall)

3. Grainger, Lake Forest (ranked No. 139 overall)

4. Northwestern Medicine, Chicago (ranked No. 159 overall)

5. Levy, Chicago (ranked No. 162 overall)

6. AbbVie, North Chicago (ranked No. 215 overall)

7. Health Care Service Corp., Chicago (ranked No. 242 overall)

8. CDW, Vernon Hills (ranked No. 267 overall)

9. State Farm, Bloomington (ranked No. 298 overall)

10. Gallagher Bassett, Rolling Meadows (ranked No. 328 overall)

Forbes’ best mid-sized employers in Illinois

These are the best mid-sized Illinois companies to work for in 2025, according to Forbes:

1. Morningstar, Chicago (ranked No. 7 overall)

2. Silver Cross Hospital, New Lenox (ranked No. 10 overall)

3. Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago (ranked No. 26 overall)

4. Harper College, Palatine (ranked No. 34 overall)

5. Southern Illinois Healthcare, Carbondale (ranked No. 41 overall)

6. Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont (ranked No. 74 overall)

7. Eversana, Chicago (ranked No. 90 overall)

8. Ronald McDonald House Charities, Chicago (ranked No. 106 overall)

9. Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago (ranked No. 120 overall)

10. Kirkland & Ellise, Chicago (ranked No. 159 overall)

This story was originally published February 27, 2025 at 5:50 AM.