Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

By John Tillman

07/04/2023

We too often call it the “Fourth of July” and lose sight of its true meaning – independence. Independence from tyranny and the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness.

TAGS: freedom, Illinois, Independence Day

State retirees get nearly 40% more than what working Illinoisans earn

By Patrick Andriesen

02/01/2023

The typical career state worker collected $82,478 in annual pension benefits, recouping more income in 17 months of retirement than they contributed over 35 years. Working Illinoisans only earned $59,650 a year.

TAGS: Illinois, pensions

School Choice Week a reminder why Illinois families love the Invest in Kids Act

By Patrick Andriesen

01/26/2023

Thousands of parents, educators and organizations across the country renewed calls this week to expand school choice and give more options for students’ educations. But in Illinois, the state’s only school choice program is nearing its end.

TAGS: Illinois, Invest in Kids, School Choice Week

Illinois union membership shrinks by 17,000 in 2022

By Mailee Smith

01/23/2023

The drop in union membership for Illinois workers follows a 33-year downward trend, moving from more than 1-in-5 workers being in a union, to nearly 1-in-8.

TAGS: Illinois, unions

Survey: Illinois 2nd in U.S. for residents leaving

By Dylan Sharkey

01/18/2023

Illinois is the second-most popular state to leave based on a survey of movers by United Van Lines. Illinois has also experienced nine straight years of population loss.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration

Illinois state senator pushing progressive tax voters rejected

By Dylan Sharkey

01/18/2023

An Illinois state senator is reviving an effort to change Illinois’ income tax structure from a flat tax, even though voters soundly defeated the change in 2020. Expect higher taxes, retirement taxes if he gets his way.

TAGS: Illinois, progressive income tax

Record number of Illinois voters cast ballot by mail in 2022 midterms

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

01/11/2023

Illinois’ 2022 general election saw the second-highest voter turnout in a midterm year of the past quarter century, with more than half of registered residents casting a ballot. Vote by mail participation increased 67% over 2018.

TAGS: Illinois, vote-by-mail

2022 midterms show mail voting spreads rapidly across Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

01/11/2023

Over 742,000 Illinoisans voted by mail in November, 67% more than the previous midterm. While many Northern Illinois counties saw record voter participation, Cook County reported its lowest turnout in 25 years.

TAGS: Illinois, vote-by-mail

Illinois sports betting tops $1B, ranks 3rd in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

01/09/2023

October 2022 set a record high for sports betting in Illinois: over $1 billion in wagers, which was the third-highest state tally in the U.S.

TAGS: Illinois, sports betting

Illinois families spend 3rd-highest in nation on government pensions

By Patrick Andriesen

01/09/2023

The typical career state pensioner earns more in retirement than Illinoisans do working. Households now pay over three times more than they did nearly two decades ago to cover the costs.

TAGS: government unions, Illinois, pensions