• Our Story
  • Your Story
  • Policy Research
    • Budget + Tax
    • Jobs + Growth
    • Good Government
    • Labor
    • Pensions
    • Education
    • Criminal Justice
    • Center for Poverty Solutions
    • Chicago Policy Center
    • En Español
  • Take Action
Donate

Illinois’
comeback
story
starts here.

  • Home
  • Our Story
    • Leadership
    • Staff
    • Senior Fellows
    • Jobs
    • Annual Reports
  • Your Story
  • Take Action
    • Lawmakers
    • Contact Your Rep
    • Join the Fight
  • Policy Research
    • Center for Poverty Solutions
    • Chicago Policy Center
    • Budget + Tax
    • Criminal Justice
    • Education
    • Good Government
    • Jobs + Growth
    • Labor
    • Pensions
  • Reports
  • Cartoons
  • Press Releases
  • Policy Shop
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy

Experts: Illinois taxpayers carrying 3rd-highest debt burden in nation

By Patrick Andriesen
11/14/2022
Truth in Accounting experts contested Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s claims Illinois is on the best fiscal footing in years, citing chronic underfunding of the state’s nation-leading pension debt. The watchdogs ranked Illinois’ finances third worst among U.S. states.

TAGS: economic recovery, JB Pritzker

Illinois unemployment rate is third-highest in the nation, highest in Midwest

By Bryce Hill
08/19/2022
Illinois stands as one of the states with the most to gain – and lose – as the national economy continues to surpass job growth expectations.

TAGS: economic recovery, jobs

Illinois adds 31,200 jobs in July, still missing 88,600 from pandemic

By Bryce Hill
08/19/2022
Illinois’ employment recovery continued in July, but the state is still missing nearly 1 in 9 jobs lost during the pandemic.

TAGS: economic recovery, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Fact check: Illinois’ economic recovery under Pritzker among worst in nation

By Dylan Sharkey
08/02/2022
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s newest campaign ad credits him with fixing state finances and boasts of Illinois’ job growth. Both are among the worst in the nation.

TAGS: Caterpillar, Citadel, economic growth, economic recovery, economy, JB Pritzker

10 Illinois metro areas gain jobs, only 1 recovers from pandemic

By Bryce Hill
08/02/2022
Only Bloomington has recouped early 2020 job losses, which is bad news for Illinois’ lagging economy as recession fears increase.

TAGS: Bloomington, COVID-19, economic recovery, jobs, unemployment

Illinois still missing 1 in 7 jobs lost during pandemic

By Bryce Hill
08/01/2022
With the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest and 117,000 jobs still missing, Illinois’ labor market is among the least recovered in the region.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economic recovery, employment, job creation, jobs

Illinois adds 18,800 jobs in June, still missing 117,000 from pandemic

By Bryce Hill
07/22/2022
Illinois’ employment recovery continued in June, but the state is still missing one in seven jobs lost during the pandemic.

TAGS: economic recovery, Illinois, jobs, unemployment

Illinois’ state policy choices boost threat from potential U.S. recession

By Orphe Divounguy
05/27/2022
Illinois is already behind the national pandemic recovery. As the risk of recession increases, Illinoisans could fall farther behind.

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, Illinois, recession

Amendment 1 will make bad Illinois business climate worse

05/17/2022
A Rockford family and their trucking business are being driven out of Illinois by high taxes and bad public policies. If voters agree Nov. 8 to enshrining public union power in the Illinois Constitution, expect more businesses and workers to leave.

TAGS: Amendment 1, economic recovery, government unions, unemployment

Illinois marks 10th month of job gains, but still missing 1-in-5 jobs

By Bryce Hill
05/12/2022
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.

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, jobs, unemployment

Load More
Center for Poverty Solutions / Research Report

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education


Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

View Report

Report Archive

Budget + Tax / Your Story

Allan Luzbetak

Labor / Policy Point

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

By Paul Kersey
06/19/2014
Illinois Policy In the News

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students

By Ted Dabrowski
05/02/2016

Chicago Office | Illinois Policy
300 S. Riverside Plaza | Suite 1650 |
Chicago, IL 60606
t 312.346.5700  f 312.346.5700

Copyright © 2025 Illinois Policy |
Illinois' comeback story starts here

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

results for
Sort by: |