Millennials could be key to Illinois’ housing recovery – but they are fleeing the state

By Madelyn Harwood

07/11/2017

Illinois loses more millennial taxpayers and dependents to other states than any state except New York; this means Illinois’ distressed housing market is losing a big contingent of first-time homebuyers.

TAGS: housing, millennials, outmigration, population, property taxes

Cook County black population falls by 12,000 from 2015-2016

By Michael Lucci

06/24/2017

Cook County has lost nearly 50,000 black residents since the 2010 census, and the rate is accelerating.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, employment, outmigration, population, prevailing wage, unemployment, workers compensation

Cook County population declines by 2,000 over 5 years, out-migration doubles

By Kevin Angell

06/24/2017

Cook County’s population has dropped by 2,030 since 2011, driven by the out-migration of over 230,000 residents, on net.

TAGS: Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Kendall County, Lake County, McHenry County, outmigration, population, Will County

Illinois’ neighboring states boast better credit ratings, economies

By Kevin Angell

06/16/2017

Illinois’ credit rating spirals downward while residents flee to surrounding states with stronger economies and lower taxes.

TAGS: credit rating, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, missouri, outmigration, population, Wisconsin

Illinois’ economic growth is worse than during the Great Depression

By Michael Lucci

06/13/2017

Illinois’ total state economic activity has increased by only 4 percent since 2007, which is lower than the U.S.’ 10 percent GDP growth during the worst decade of the Great Depression.

TAGS: GDP, outmigration, personal income

Fact-checking Rahm: Mayor deflects attention as Chicago shrinks

By Madelyn Harwood

06/03/2017

Despite Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s spin, residents are fleeing Chicago, showing they feel they are better off elsewhere.

TAGS: Chicago, outmigration, population, Rahm Emanuel, uhaul

Rahm spins as Chicago reels from population flight

By Michael Lucci

06/01/2017

Middle class families are unwilling to live in a city where there aren’t enough jobs and the cost of living is too high.

TAGS: Chicago, outmigration, population, Rahm Emanuel, uhaul

Chicago only major U.S. city to lose population from 2015 to 2016

By Michael Lucci

05/25/2017

While major headlines broke over news that Chicago was the only one of America’s largest 20 cities to shrink from July 2015 to July 2016, most of Illinois’ other cities with 50,000 people or more also lost population.

TAGS: Berwyn, Champaign, Chicago, Cicero, decatur, Oak Park, outmigration, peoria, population, U.S. Census Bureau

College students were fleeing Illinois long before the budget impasse

By Michael Lucci

05/25/2017

Illinois lost 195,000 more college-bound students than it gained from 2000-2014.

TAGS: higher education, millennials, outmigration

Illinois has lost 195,000 millennial college students since 2000

By Madelyn Harwood

05/23/2017

Illinois lost more millennial college students than any other state except New Jersey between 2000 and 2014, and Illinois’ loss of young people appears to be accelerating.

TAGS: millennials, outmigration, population

Illinois’ $21 billion in school debt pushes up property taxes

Illinoisans are struggling under the highest property tax burdens in the country. Many of the reasons for those high taxes are known – too many local governments, executive pay for local administrators and rising pension costs. What taxpayers don’t know is that local school districts have billions in debt, which drives up property taxes even further....

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Illinois’ $21 billion in school debt pushes up property taxes

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Forgotten Illinois: Round Lake

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

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