New census data tell the tale of Quad Cities
New census data tell the tale of Quad Cities
If current population trends hold, Rock Island, Illinois, will take a back seat to Bettendorf, Iowa, within five years.
In a shrinking state, Census sheds light on struggling cities
In a shrinking state, Census sheds light on struggling cities
When people can’t find good job opportunities in Illinois, they are too often forced to leave. And to take their place, too few have enough confidence in the state to move in from elsewhere and build a future.
Chicago was the only major U.S. city to lose population from 2016 to 2017
Chicago was the only major U.S. city to lose population from 2016 to 2017
In a shrinking state, half of Illinois’ largest cities have shed population since 2010.
Trio of occupational licensing bills en route to governor’s desk
Trio of occupational licensing bills en route to governor’s desk
A series of occupational licensing reform bills making their way out of the General Assembly would help more Illinoisans enter the workforce.
Illinois added 4,700 jobs in April, but workforce continues to shrink
Illinois added 4,700 jobs in April, but workforce continues to shrink
The state also saw a drop in the unemployment rate over the month, fueled by employment gains and labor force decline.
Rich Roth
Rich Roth
“I’ve lived in Clinton since I was two years old. “The moving company is coming June 1. I sold my business as of this morning. “This is where the state loses. My income is fairly healthy. My wife’s income is fairly healthy. And we’re taking our two kids and we’re gone. “I built my house...
Forgotten Illinois Harvey: Fixing a broken city in a broken state
Forgotten Illinois Harvey: Fixing a broken city in a broken state
Most days in Harvey, a suburb 20 miles south of Chicago, are quiet. Thousands of people and numerous businesses have left the city over the years, and the void left in their wake is plain to see. But on a cold and wet April 14, dozens of longtime residents still fighting for what’s left packed...
Carbondale could lead on easing food truck regulations
Carbondale could lead on easing food truck regulations
Though some of Illinois’ larger municipalities such as Chicago and Evanston have been overly restrictive in regulating food trucks, the Carbondale City Council has debated loosening them for its city, soliciting mixed opinions.
Senate bill would require regulators to jump more hurdles before imposing new licensing restrictions
Senate bill would require regulators to jump more hurdles before imposing new licensing restrictions
Regulatory regimes in Illinois often discourage workforce participation without enhancing public welfare. One Senate bill, however, would require regulators to demonstrate the necessity of new rules before imposing them on workers.
Illinois’ metro areas shed 3,600 jobs in March
Illinois’ metro areas shed 3,600 jobs in March
Seven metro areas across the state lost jobs over the month.
Illinois shed 2,100 jobs in March
Illinois shed 2,100 jobs in March
The state also saw a drop in the unemployment rate, but it wasn’t because people found jobs.
Trio of licensing reform bills advance to House floor
Trio of licensing reform bills advance to House floor
Three proposals that would ease occupational licensing restrictions have reached the House floor, passing unanimously out of committee.
Senate bill would bar Illinois from axing occupational licenses due to student loan debt
Senate bill would bar Illinois from axing occupational licenses due to student loan debt
Under Illinois law, defaulting on student loan debt could jeopardize one’s occupational license. But a Senate bill would protect indebted workers from displacement.
Revised data show Decatur added 400 jobs in 2017
Revised data show Decatur added 400 jobs in 2017
Revisions from the Bureau of Labor Statistics flipped Decatur’s jobs growth from negative to positive over the year, though the growth was meager.