3 in 4 Illinois communities lost population in 2023
3 in 4 Illinois communities lost population in 2023
Chicago lost the most, but communities across Illinois lost population in 2023. Three-fourths of the cities and towns lost people.
9 years of decline: Expect Chicago to be No. 4 behind Houston by 2035
9 years of decline: Expect Chicago to be No. 4 behind Houston by 2035
Chicago lost 8,208 residents in 2023, the third-largest decline of any city in the nation. At this rate, the Second City will drop from No. 3 to No. 4 by 2035
Chicago Kilwins owner named small businessperson of the year
Chicago Kilwins owner named small businessperson of the year
Jackie Jackson has repeatedly helped people understand what it means to be an entrepreneur in Chicago, from crime to the pandemic to taxes. But being able to create jobs keeps her going and is why she was named businessperson of the year.
Phoenix’s building permit privatization could help reverse Illinois’ housing woes
Phoenix’s building permit privatization could help reverse Illinois’ housing woes
Phoenix, Arizona, established a program to streamline building permits for certain projects. It has seen results. It could help Illinois’ drop in housing permits.
9 Illinois metro areas add jobs in March, 6 await pandemic recovery
9 Illinois metro areas add jobs in March, 6 await pandemic recovery
Job gains in Illinois’ metropolitan areas were off to a slow start in 2024. Six areas remain behind where they were before the pandemic.
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.