Illinois saw nation’s worst population loss during the decade

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

12/30/2019

Illinois suffered its sixth consecutive year of population decline in 2019, driven entirely by residents leaving for other states.

TAGS: 401(k), debt, flat tax, general revenue fund, Great Recession, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Illinois Constitution, JB Pritzker, job creation, Mike Madigan, outmigration, population, revenue, Springfield, tax burden, tax hikes, tax increase, U.S. Census Bureau, working-age

Absent pension crisis, Illinois could afford ‘free’ college

By Adam Schuster

12/10/2019

Illinois could give every undergraduate in public college nearly $70k a year if it spent the same 4% of its budget on pensions as it did throughout the 90s, rather than the 25% it spends today.

TAGS: DCFS: Department of Children and Family Services, general revenue fund, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, illinois state police, Springfield, tax burden

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...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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