Walgreens is cutting hundreds of jobs in Illinois and Texas in a sweeping restructuring that comes as the economy weakens and cost pressures mount. The Deerfield-based pharmacy chain will eliminate 469 Illinois positions and 159 Texas jobs tied to the closure of a Houston distribution center, affecting a total of 628 roles.
The cuts create tension for workers and communities already struggling with rising prices and economic uncertainty, fueling concerns about service disruptions and local job markets. Walgreens has been under pressure to streamline operations following its 2025 acquisition by private-equity firm Sycamore Partners, which took the company private and split it into standalone businesses.
According to the notices filed with Illinois and Texas labor authorities, the layoffs focus on corporate support roles in Deerfield and logistics jobs at the soon-to-close Texas center. The company said the measures are designed to simplify decision-making and sharpen its focus on customer service and the in-store experience…