Illinois unemployment still 3rd highest in U.S.
Illinois unemployment still 3rd highest in U.S.
Illinois continues to maintain a sluggish job market and high unemployment. The December unemployment rate was third highest in the nation, where it has remained for months.
By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko
Union membership remains near record low despite big boost in taxpayer-supported jobs
Union membership remains near record low despite big boost in taxpayer-supported jobs
Rapid growth in government jobs during 2024 did little to fix the downward trajectory of union membership in Illinois. Just 13.1% of workers are union members in the state.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures
Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures
Published Jan. 28, 2025 Illinois Policy Institute Center for Poverty Solutions, in partnership with the Archbridge Institute By Joshua Bandoch, Ph.D., head of policy, Illinois Policy Institute and Justin Callais, Ph.D., chief economist, Archbridge Institute EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A low-income person’s ability to move up in society is worse in Illinois than in any other Midwestern...
Illinois school boards should provide opportunities to all kids in their districts
Illinois school boards should provide opportunities to all kids in their districts
Some Illinois school boards allow all resident children – including private and homeschooled kids – to participate in district activities. That should be the case for all taxpaying families in all districts.
By Mailee Smith
Joseph Miscimarra
Joseph Miscimarra
Joseph Miscimarra is a proponent of additional dwelling units, such as coach houses and granny flats. He supports a Chicago City Council ordinance that would expand and improve a pilot program to again allow the units, but the proposal is currently stalled in committee. “In the spring of 2023, some friends from college told me...
Amendment would allow Illinoisans to recall state leaders, local politicians
Amendment would allow Illinoisans to recall state leaders, local politicians
Illinoisans would have the chance to recall state and local politicians under a proposal in Springfield.
By Dylan Sharkey
3 ways to balance Chicago’s next budget without tax hikes
3 ways to balance Chicago’s next budget without tax hikes
Chicago might have just avoided a property tax hike, but city leaders couldn’t figure out how to pass the 2025 budget without other tax and fee increases. Here’s what the city should do to avoid repeating the same budgeting mistakes next year.
By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar
46 towns have passed a grocery tax. Is your town next?
46 towns have passed a grocery tax. Is your town next?
Already 46 towns around Illinois have voted to impose a 1% grocery tax in 2026. Other Illinoisans will start to save 1% on groceries when the statewide tax ends.
By Dylan Sharkey
Vallas: What new school board members should know about Chicago Public Schools
Vallas: What new school board members should know about Chicago Public Schools
Chicago’s first elected school board was just sworn into office. Here’s what members should know about what the Chicago Teachers Union has done to damage Chicago Public Schools and the city’s children, plus eight steps to undo the damage.
By Paul Vallas
5 principles to guide Illinois’ public pension reform
5 principles to guide Illinois’ public pension reform
With nearly $214 billion in state and local pension debt threatening both retirees and government finances, Illinois needs a new path forward. Here are five principles to guide the state, protect taxpayers and safeguard public servants.
By LyLena Estabine