Illinoisans would pay a new bag tax under a proposed bill in Springfield. The tax would only deepen concerns that the state keeps increasing the cost burden.
Illinois is on pace to lose a seat in Congress based on new census data. International immigration and interstate migration are driving those projections.
Illinois’ population grew by 16,108 in 2025 thanks to an influx of people migrating from other countries. But Illinoisans moving away offset most of that gain.
Taxpayers usually get told what raise they will receive. They also get told what raises they will give: to state lawmakers, and by those same lawmakers.
Illinois has the highest pension debt per capita. Even if the state spent an extra $1 million a day, your distant descendants would still be paying in 2600.