IRS data confirms Illinois is losing residents, wealth flight at record pace
IRS data confirms Illinois is losing residents, wealth flight at record pace
Illinois lost more than 100,000 residents and $8.5 billion on net in adjusted gross income to other states from 2019-2020, according to new federal tax return data. Those leaving earned $31K more than those coming in.
By Bryce Hill
79% of Illinois communities lose people in 2021; Chicago loses 45K
79% of Illinois communities lose people in 2021; Chicago loses 45K
1,019 Illinois communities of all sizes shared in the loss of 114,000 residents in 2021, new census data shows. Chicago lost 40% of the total.
By Bryce Hill
Pritzker fact check: Illinois population isn’t ‘booming’
Pritzker fact check: Illinois population isn’t ‘booming’
A Census survey intended to estimate the accuracy of the 2020 Census is being used to project an Illinois population increase. While there may be more Illinoisans than originally thought, that does not mean they aren’t leaving at an accelerating pace.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois’ Census revisions, explained
Illinois’ Census revisions, explained
Some Illinois politicians are using an estimate to revise the Census count and claim Illinois doesn't have a problem with its residents moving away. A closer look shows they are wrong, and the danger of denial.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois marks 10th month of job gains, but still missing 1-in-5 jobs
Illinois marks 10th month of job gains, but still missing 1-in-5 jobs
Illinois is steadily adding jobs lost during the COVID-19 economic downturn, but despite 10 months of gains the state recovery lags the nation. Some metropolitan areas are far behind where they were.
By Bryce Hill
Zach Meiborg
Zach Meiborg
“As business owners, we’re constantly up against headwinds at every level of bureaucracy and we’re exhausted from the fight to keep and extend more job opportunities here.”
Union power vote, population loss threaten Illinois’ labor market recovery
Union power vote, population loss threaten Illinois’ labor market recovery
Key indicators show Illinois’ labor market could begin adding jobs faster than the national economy if population decline and Amendment 1 don’t derail the state’s trajectory.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois adds 18,300 jobs in March, still missing 154,500 from pandemic
Illinois adds 18,300 jobs in March, still missing 154,500 from pandemic
Illinois’ employment recovery continued in March, but the state is still missing one in five jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic downturn and state restrictions.
By Bryce Hill
Champaign-Urbana loses 5,300 jobs in February as most Illinois metros gain
Champaign-Urbana loses 5,300 jobs in February as most Illinois metros gain
Illinois posted job growth of 19,600 in February, with bigger payrolls in 10 of 14 Illinois-based metropolitan areas.
By Bryce Hill
Pritzker ranks 4th-worst governor for economic freedom
Pritzker ranks 4th-worst governor for economic freedom
In a new report on America’s 50 governors, Gov. J.B Pritzker was ranked 47th because of the harm he’s done to the state economy. Voters saved him from a lower rank by rejecting his ‘fair tax.’
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois’ leisure, hospitality industry suffering 3rd-worst recovery in U.S.
Illinois’ leisure, hospitality industry suffering 3rd-worst recovery in U.S.
Illinois is still missing 77,000 jobs from its restaurants, bars, hotels and other leisure industries since COVID-19 shutdowns. That Illinois jobs sector has recovered only 72% of what it lost in the pandemic – one of the nation’s worst recoveries.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois adds 19,600 jobs in February, still missing 178,300 jobs from pandemic
Illinois adds 19,600 jobs in February, still missing 178,300 jobs from pandemic
Illinois’ employment recovery continued in February, but the state is still missing 21% of the jobs it lost in early 2020
By Bryce Hill
81 of 102 Illinois counties lose population in 2021
81 of 102 Illinois counties lose population in 2021
Illinois’ record population decline affeced nearly all counties in 2021.
By Bryce Hill
Nearly all Illinois metro areas lost population in 2021
Nearly all Illinois metro areas lost population in 2021
Illinois’ record population decline affected virtually all of the state’s largest cities.
By Bryce Hill