Illinois is already behind the national pandemic recovery. As the risk of recession increases, Illinoisans could fall farther behind.

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.

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.

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.