4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

By LyLena Estabine

01/13/2026

Causes, costs, how to set the state free

Illinois job growth less than half of Midwest’s in past year

By Josh Bandoch, Jon Josko

12/17/2025

 The information sector remains a bright spot in an otherwise challenging Illinois job market, but unemployment has pulled even with the national rate.

$1 million a day X 600 years to fill Illinois pension hole

By LyLena Estabine

12/02/2025

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.

Pritzker boosts lawsuit rights for outsiders, limits Illinoisans

By Joe Tabor

11/11/2025

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker made it harder for Illinoisans to sue the state but just made it easier for outsiders to sue businesses here.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Pritzker vetoes 5th lowest of 16 Democrat-controlled states

By Lilly Rossi

11/04/2025

In Illinois, 99% of state bills passed by the Democratic supermajority become law with no objection by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Democracy suffers without checks and balances.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Chicago loosens granny flat rules, still lags California

By LyLena Estabine

10/20/2025

Chicago just expanded where accessory dwelling units can be built, but California’s sweeping reforms show how far the city still has to go.

See what your Illinois school district superintendent made in 2024

By Lilly Rossi

10/01/2025

Illinois school district superintendent pay topped out at $537,197 in 2024. See your local superintendent's salary here.

TAGS: education, Illinois, property taxes

Mandating unaffordability: How Chicago’s housing affordability requirements decrease supply and increase costs

By Josh Bandoch, LyLena Estabine

10/01/2025

As housing prices continue to soar out of reach for more Americans, an impulse from policy makers across the country has been to attempt to mandate “affordable” prices through legislation. One common idea is rent control, which limits how much landlords can increase rents on residents. A related one is inclusionary zoning, which forces developers...

Pritzker blames Trump for cuts, but Illinois is high risk for recession

By Dylan Sharkey

09/26/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said state agencies need to trim 4%, blaming President Donald Trump and a slowing national economy. Illinois’ economic woes started long before Trump.

TAGS: Donald Trump, JB Pritzker

Information sector bright spot as Illinois job market remains sluggish

By Josh Bandoch, Jon Josko

09/19/2025

Illinois showed slow job growth as the state trailed national trends. Unemployment was at 4.4% in August, slightly above the national rate

California

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

Illinois job growth less than half of Midwest’s in past year

$1 million a day X 600 years to fill Illinois pension hole

Pritzker boosts lawsuit rights for outsiders, limits Illinoisans

Pritzker vetoes 5th lowest of 16 Democrat-controlled states

Chicago loosens granny flat rules, still lags California

See what your Illinois school district superintendent made in 2024

Mandating unaffordability: How Chicago’s housing affordability requirements decrease supply and increase costs

Pritzker blames Trump for cuts, but Illinois is high risk for recession

Information sector bright spot as Illinois job market remains sluggish

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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