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Nearly all Illinois communities smaller since 2020; Chicago loses nearly 30K

By Bryce Hill
05/15/2025
Since 2020, 84% of Illinois communities have lost population. Small towns were hit hardest by population declines in 2024, while Chicago’s migrant crisis helped offset people choosing to leave.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Chicago area gets over 96K international migrants in 2024; 238K since 2020

By Bryce Hill
03/12/2025
Chicagoland’s population has been boosted by international migrants in recent years. But 347,000 residents left for other states since April 2020.

TAGS: outmigration, population, property taxes

64 of Illinois’ 102 counties see populations drop in 2024

By Bryce Hill
03/12/2025
While Illinois’ total population grew slightly last year, many areas of the state experienced population decline. People moved out of state from half the counties.

TAGS: outmigration, population, taxes

Every 9 minutes, 21 seconds, Illinois loses another resident

By Bryce Hill
03/06/2025
Illinois continues to lose residents to other states. Another Illinoisan left every 9 minutes and 21 seconds from July 2023 to June 2024.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Illinois ranks 48th for people moving out, loses over 56K residents

By Bryce Hill
02/27/2025
Illinois ability to keep its residents is third from the bottom. Only California and New York have more people moving to other states.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Illinois population grows in 2024 despite 56K residents leaving for other states

By Bryce Hill
12/19/2024
A massive influx of 112,955 international migrants boosted Illinois population in 2024, new Census Bureau data shows. Buses from Texas likely grew Illinois’ population.

TAGS: Chicago, outmigration, population

Atlas Van Lines: Illinois 3rd in nation for residents leaving

By Dylan Sharkey
12/09/2024
Illinois saw the third-highest rate of residents moving out in 2024 based on a survey by Atlas Van Lines. Jobs and taxes are among the top reasons people leave Illinois, which is also third in the nation for highest unemployment rate.

TAGS: outmigration, population

La población de Chicago alcanza su punto más bajo desde 1920

By Bryce Hill
09/16/2024
En el Censo de 1920, la población de Chicago era de 2.7 millones, un aumento de más de 516,000 en una década. Más de 100 años después, la población de Chicago es de 2.66 millones, una pérdida de 128,034 tras nueve años consecutivos de declive.

TAGS: Chicago, population

Chicago population hits lowest point since 1920

By Bryce Hill
08/09/2024
At the 1920 Census, Chicago’s population was 2.7 million, up over 516,000 in a decade. More than 100 years later, Chicago’s population is 2.66 million, a loss of 128,034 from nine straight years of decline.

TAGS: outmigration, population

IRS: Illinois loses $9.9B in income as 87,311 residents move out in 2022

By Bryce Hill
07/01/2024
New data shows $9.9 billion flowed from Illinois to other states because people moved out in 2022. Most of those leaving earned $100,000 or more.

TAGS: population

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Chicago Policy Center / Research Report

A city charter could bring order to Chicago’s dysfunction. How can it get one?


A city charter would put much-needed guardrails on the Chicago government. Here’s what needs to happen to get one.

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Report Archive

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Kane County Speaks

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

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