Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd worst in the nation
Illinois employment growth lagged the nation and neighboring states in March 2024. Unemployment was third highest in the U.S.
How economically competitive is Illinois? Not very
How economically competitive is Illinois? Not very
A new survey of economic indicators ranks Illinois 48th in the nation on 15 measures. High taxes, slow economic growth, people moving away and high public debt all pushed the state down.
Plan could help Chicago’s housing affordability problem by cutting red tape
Plan could help Chicago’s housing affordability problem by cutting red tape
Mayor Brandon Johnson has moved on from his failed tax hike and found a good answer to Chicago’s housing affordability issue. His “Cut the Tape” proposal would streamline the housing and commercial development process, increasing the supply and affordability.
Illinois cities could significantly speed up new home, business construction
Illinois cities could significantly speed up new home, business construction
Illinois cities and villages could reduce from months to just days the time it takes to issue permits for new residential and commercial construction. Phoenix saw housing units increase 10% in a decade by cutting costly delays.
Universal licensing bill would help professionals move to Illinois
Universal licensing bill would help professionals move to Illinois
House Bill 5608 would allow professionals with out-of-state licenses or experience to work in Illinois and help residents with certifications from other states to work. Universal licensing was already adopted by 22 other states.
10 Illinois metro areas add jobs in February, 5 await pandemic recovery
10 Illinois metro areas add jobs in February, 5 await pandemic recovery
10 of the 13 Illinois metro areas added jobs from January 2024 to February 2024, led by the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area. Five still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic.
Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for 3rd worst in the nation in February 2024 after a decline in the number of jobs statewide during the past 12 months. Illinois continues to lag the nation and all its neighbors in job growth.
Illinois’ rural counties shrink fastest in 2023
Illinois’ rural counties shrink fastest in 2023
While Cook County experienced the largest decline, less-populous Illinois counties were losing people at the fastest rate last year.
Every Illinois metro area lost people in 2023; Chicago 3rd worst in nation
Every Illinois metro area lost people in 2023; Chicago 3rd worst in nation
Illinois’ population decline crisis has now spread to every major metropolitan area in the state. Chicago continued losing residents in 2023.
Cook County 2nd-worst in U.S. as 87 of 102 Illinois counties lose population
Cook County 2nd-worst in U.S. as 87 of 102 Illinois counties lose population
Illinois’ population decline crisis continues to affect virtually all counties despite fewer losses in 2023. Cook County saw nation’s second-highest number of residents moving out.
6 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, just 6 add jobs in January
6 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, just 6 add jobs in January
Six of the 13 Illinois metro areas still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic. Six metros added jobs from December 2023 to January 2024, led by the Champaign-Urbana area.
Illinois’ unemployment rate ranks 4th worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate ranks 4th worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate ranked fourth worst in the nation in January 2024 after a decline in the number of jobs statewide during the past 12 months. Illinois continues to lag the nation and all its neighbors in job growth.
Illinois ranks as worst state for low-income earners
Illinois ranks as worst state for low-income earners
A WalletHub study found low-income Illinoisans pay 14% of their annual salary to sales, property and incomes taxes – more than anywhere else in the nation. The state’s middle- and high-income earners weren’t much better off.
The Policy Shop: How much potential does Illinois have?
The Policy Shop: How much potential does Illinois have?
This episode of The Policy Shop is by Director of Policy Research Joseph Tabor. During the social turmoil of the 1960s, a happy, dancing pop group emerged to emphasize unity and harmony: Up With People. “If more people were for people, All people ev’rywhere, There’d be a lot less people to worry about, And a...