How many new businesses does your Illinois county have?
How many new businesses does your Illinois county have?
New business applications in Illinois are up 47% compared to pre-pandemic numbers in 2019, but what does growth in your county look like?
Illinois lawmakers-turned-lobbyists become big barrier to work
Illinois lawmakers-turned-lobbyists become big barrier to work
Lawmaker to lobbyist is a well-worn path at the Illinois Statehouse. But the new job of some former state lawmakers is to get their former colleagues to make it harder for their former constituents to work.
Apprenticeships offer economic opportunity for Illinoisans
Apprenticeships offer economic opportunity for Illinoisans
College degrees are just one potential path to prosperity. Apprenticeships are a viable alternative Illinois’ education system should embrace.
Illinois’ 15 metro areas all see unemployment higher than U.S. rate
Illinois’ 15 metro areas all see unemployment higher than U.S. rate
Despite some growth, high unemployment remains an issue in Illinois. All 15 metropolitan areas showed higher rates of unemployment than the national average.
The Policy Shop: Illinois’ people problem is a money problem
The Policy Shop: Illinois’ people problem is a money problem
This edition of The Policy Shop is by Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research. When you treat people like piggy banks, some of them will get fed up and move. It is most likely the folks with the most money will be the ones to go. Illinois politicians seem to be ignoring those...
New John Deere layoffs follow Illinois losing 1,124 jobs in May
New John Deere layoffs follow Illinois losing 1,124 jobs in May
Declining demand has John Deere planning 600 layoffs, including 280 in Illinois, by the end of August. Illinois already had companies planning to cut 1,124 jobs in May, hitting janitorial services providers, collection agencies and packaging industries.
IRS: Illinois loses $9.9B in income as 87,311 residents move out in 2022
IRS: Illinois loses $9.9B in income as 87,311 residents move out in 2022
New data shows $9.9 billion flowed from Illinois to other states because people moved out in 2022. Most of those leaving earned $100,000 or more.
Over 2,700 vacant properties owned by Chicago not for sale because of ‘environmental review’ regulations
Over 2,700 vacant properties owned by Chicago not for sale because of ‘environmental review’ regulations
Thousands of vacant properties sit undeveloped in Chicago thanks to environmental review.
White, Black communities lead Illinois’ population decline; Hispanic, Asian communities growing
White, Black communities lead Illinois’ population decline; Hispanic, Asian communities growing
Illinois’ Hispanic population is growing the most while the Asian population growing the fastest.
Illinois tied for third-worst unemployment rate in the U.S.
Illinois tied for third-worst unemployment rate in the U.S.
Illinois' employment growth lags the nation and neighboring states in May.
Utah makes life easier for job seekers; Illinois can, too
Utah makes life easier for job seekers; Illinois can, too
Utah consolidated and integrated government job and social services into a one-stop shop. Illinois can follow that example and efficiently pull more people out of poverty and into the working world.
Hard look at job rules can pull more Illinoisans from poverty
Hard look at job rules can pull more Illinoisans from poverty
If Illinois used data-driven reviews before imposing job rules, more people could find work and escape poverty.
Oppressive regulations leave thousands of jobs unfilled
Oppressive regulations leave thousands of jobs unfilled
The jobs are there. The people to fill them are there. The only thing standing in the way is Illinois’ overreaching state regulations and job licensing.
Illinois Black unemployment highest of 10 biggest states
Illinois Black unemployment highest of 10 biggest states
Black workers in Illinois face a tougher job market compared to other big states. Illinois has the highest unemployment rate for Black workers among the 10 biggest states.