Pandemic cocktails to-go gets extension in Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

06/01/2023

Illinois was one of 14 states that made it legal for restaurant and bar owners to deliver cocktails or sell them to-go as a survival tactic during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. J.B. Pritzker just signed the bill to extend the policy into 2028.

85% of Illinois communities lose people in 2022; Chicago loses 33k

By Bryce Hill

05/17/2023

1,108 Illinois communities of all sizes shared in the record loss of more than 104,000 residents in 2022, according to new Census Bureau data. Chicago lost 32% of the state’s total.

Second big investment firm may leave Chicago for Miami

By Patrick Andriesen

05/04/2023

Industry sources report one of Chicago’s largest money management firms could soon move their Illinois headquarters to Florida. Guggenheim Partners would be the sixth large company and second investment firm to move out of Illinois in the past year.

IRS: Illinois lost 105K residents, $11B in income to other states in 2021

By Bryce Hill

04/27/2023

Illinois lost more than 105,000 residents and $10.9 billion on net in adjusted gross income to other states from 2020-2021, according to new federal tax return data. Losses were spread across every age and income group.

Brandon Johnson’s tax hikes would hurt Chicago’s recovery, cost even more jobs

By Justin Carlson

03/31/2023

Chicago is still missing 26,500 jobs from pre-pandemic levels. Voters agree: more taxes on businesses is the wrong answer.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

91 of 102 Illinois counties lose population in 2022

By Bryce Hill

03/30/2023

Illinois’ record population decline affected nearly all counties in 2022

TAGS: population, U.S. Census Bureau

Cook County population decline, outmigration 2nd-worst in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

03/30/2023

94,344 residents moved out of Cook County, the sole reason for 2022 population decline.

TAGS: Cook County, population, U.S. Census Bureau

Illinois’ out-of-state cannabis sales drop to 2-year low

By Dylan Sharkey

03/28/2023

Out-of-state cannabis sales fell to $31 million in February, the lowest since February 2021. Missouri starting recreational pot sales at a lower cost is a major factor.

Illinois job growth among worst in U.S. during Pritzker’s first term

By Justin Carlson

03/22/2023

All 11 major industries in Illinois were among the worst in the nation for job growth from January 2019 to January 2023, with each of them ranking in the bottom half in the nation.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Nearly 40K Illinois jobs still missing 3 years after pandemic

By Bryce Hill

03/10/2023

Illinois is still missing 39,500 jobs that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic hit three years ago. Also, 2022 jobs growth was weaker than first thought.