Our perspective: Chicago’s commercial real estate market still hasn’t recovered from pandemic
Our perspective: Chicago’s commercial real estate market still hasn’t recovered from pandemic
Editor’s note: There is a lot of information coming at you every day, but not a lot of context. The Illinois Policy Institute is launching "Our Perspective" to give you our take on topics of the day so you can better shape your take on them.
By Hilary Gowins
Upward mobility tougher in Illinois than in rest of Midwest, most of U.S.
Upward mobility tougher in Illinois than in rest of Midwest, most of U.S.
Illinois ranked 40th overall and the worst in the Midwest for social mobility, a new report found.
By Joe Tabor
Samantha Danielle
Samantha Danielle
“Alcohol licensing was easy at the federal level. I am an importer and wholesale distributor, but then you have to get it at the state level because prohibition and bootlegging made it a state-by-state decision on how to sell alcohol.”
Minneapolis’ 4 housing moves can be blueprint for fixing Chicago
Minneapolis’ 4 housing moves can be blueprint for fixing Chicago
Chicago’s tight rental market is raising rents and eating larger chunks of residents’ income. But the city can fix that by following Minneapolis’ lead.
By Ravi Mishra
5 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, most add jobs in December
5 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, most add jobs in December
Seven of 13 Illinois metro areas added jobs from November to December 2023, led by the St. Louis area. Five metros still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for 3rd-worst in U.S.
Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for 3rd-worst in U.S.
Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for third-worst in the U.S. in December 2023, despite job gains across most industries since last year. Illinois continues to lag the nation and nearly all its neighbors in job growth.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Angelique Warner
Angelique Warner
“The vision and faith kept me going throughout this journey. I had a very clear vision of the functionality of GoGoVie and I had the faith to see it through.”
46,400 extra Illinoisans found, but 364,443 others moved away
46,400 extra Illinoisans found, but 364,443 others moved away
Illinois’ base population total is larger than previously predicted after the U.S. Census discovered it had missed people in group quarters. But the change shouldn’t lull politicians into thinking taxes and other policies didn’t drive 364,443 people away.
By Bryce Hill
Bakari Finley
Bakari Finley
“I wanted to go into a space I was interested in, and with my retail experience, I wanted to make a product that would be perfect for fathers, a symbol to celebrate fathers and father figures. I like backpacks, so I got together with my team and we started researching.” “After looking at countless backpacks,...
United Van Lines: Illinois 2nd in nation for residents leaving
United Van Lines: Illinois 2nd in nation for residents leaving
Illinois saw the second-highest rate of residents moving out in the nation based on a survey by United Van Lines. Illinois has experienced 10 straight years of population loss.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois’ new nuclear bill goes dark before it can spark
Illinois’ new nuclear bill goes dark before it can spark
While technically ending Illinois’ nuclear power plant moratorium, a new law does not allow even one watt of nuclear energy to be generated for the public electrical grid.
By Jess Plowman
Illinois population drop, departures among worst in U.S.
Illinois population drop, departures among worst in U.S.
Illinois lost 83,839 residents who moved to other states, one of the highest rates in the U.S. and driving a 10th consecutive year of population decline. It ranks near the bottom on multiple other population measures, too.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois’ Midwest-leading minimum wage increases again in January 2024
Illinois’ Midwest-leading minimum wage increases again in January 2024
Non-tipped workers will see their hourly wage hit $14 an hour while tipped employees will collect $8.40 thanks to the next minimum wage hike on January 1, 2024.
By Patrick Andriesen