Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

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...

Chicago’s hidden housing solution: How additional dwelling unit expansion can make city more affordable

Chicago’s hidden housing solution: How additional dwelling unit expansion can make city more affordable

Published Jan. 23, 2025 Chicago’s 2020 Additional Dwelling Unit Ordinance, while well-intentioned, has stifled development. Despite 71% of Chicagoans being in favor of putting additional dwelling units on existing residential lots – higher than the national average – restrictive and inequitable regulations have ensured very few are built.1 Only 44% of pre-approved applications have received...

By LyLena Estabine

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...

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