Chicago area shows highest rent increase among top 10 metros
Chicago area shows highest rent increase among top 10 metros
Year-over-year rents rose in Illinois while falling nationwide. Champaign-Urbana posted the country’s fourth-highest increase.
REPORTS
Mandating unaffordability: How Chicago’s housing affordability requirements decrease supply and increase costs
Pritzker’s economic record: Weak labor market, widening racial gaps
Unfair big government contracts hurt Illinois’ economy, cut job creation
House hunters: How high taxes hurt home investment in Illinois
Building fairness and opportunity: The effects of repealing Illinois’ prevailing wage law
Rockford close to zoning reforms to increase housing
Rockford close to zoning reforms to increase housing
The proposed amendments would allow greater housing density, eliminate garage mandates and reduce approval hurdles for new developments.
Illinois food stamp use drops to lowest in a decade
Illinois food stamp use drops to lowest in a decade
Federal changes in work requirements have played a role.
Why an Illinois home costs almost $100,000 more than it did before COVID
Why an Illinois home costs almost $100,000 more than it did before COVID
The state’s housing prices soar as its supply of homes for sale remains far behind the nation’s.
Illinois loses young people at more than 3 times the U.S. rate
Illinois loses young people at more than 3 times the U.S. rate
The number of state residents under 20 fell 6.8% from 2020 to 2025.
Lawmakers pass bill creating apprenticeships for beauty professions
Lawmakers pass bill creating apprenticeships for beauty professions
Under the measure, aspiring barbers, cosmetologists and others would have a path to a license that doesn’t require expensive schooling.
Chicago minimum wage increases could reduce opportunities
Chicago minimum wage increases could reduce opportunities
Hourly pay in the city rises every year per ordinance. On July 1 it goes to $17.05.
Lawmakers punt on housing supply as prices up 48% since 2019
Lawmakers punt on housing supply as prices up 48% since 2019
The state’s home prices have jumped 48% while housing for sale has plummeted.
Pritzker’s record: Illinois jobs growth ranks last among big states
Pritzker’s record: Illinois jobs growth ranks last among big states
Illinois has added a net of only 9,400 private-sector jobs since the governor took over.
Illinois budget proposes $200,000 to redefine ‘low income’
Illinois budget proposes $200,000 to redefine ‘low income’
The proposed state budget would pay to develop a new definition in the face of federal changes to the SNAP program.
Chicago population up for third straight year, but growth slows
Chicago population up for third straight year, but growth slows
Chicago grew for a third straight year, but the growth is slowing down compared to previous years.
What Pritzker’s housing plan gets right and wrong
What Pritzker’s housing plan gets right and wrong
The state should follow others by passing reforms that would make building housing easier and cheaper.