CTA violent crime nears decade high as feds threaten funding cuts

By Patrick Andriesen

10/14/2025

Chicago Transit Authority violent crime hit its second-highest level since 2015, while the arrest rate dropped. CTA crime is threatening federal funding.

TAGS: CTA: Chicago Transit Authority

Suburban Chicago house tax plan would choke lagging growth

By LyLena Estabine

07/31/2025

The Illinois Senate attempted to pass a “rescue package” for Chicago area mass transit that would punish suburban homeowners with a new real estate transfer tax. State leaders must instead focus on reforms to boost housing and economic growth.

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

Greater Chicago hit hard as Illinois sees 2,342 mass layoffs in January

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

02/11/2025

Illinois companies announced 2,342 mass layoffs in January 2025, according to state reports. More than 9-in-10 job cuts impacted Cook and the collar counties.

O’Hare one of worst airports for wait times ahead of Thanksgiving travel

By Dylan Sharkey

11/21/2024

Chicago’s O’Hare Airport is one of the toughest for waiting in long lines, according to a study of the nation’s biggest airports. Motorists dealing with Illinois’ second-highest gas taxes won’t fare much better hitting the road.

TAGS: O'Hare International Airport, Thanksgiving

CTA ridership just 60% of pre-COVID levels while budget is 30% higher

By Ravi Mishra

10/17/2024

Chicago transit ridership is barely 60% of pre-COVID levels while the budget is 30% higher, now they face a $577 million budget shortfall.

TAGS: CTA: Chicago Transit Authority

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

07/09/2024

Published July 9, 2024 America is facing a housing affordability crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 73% of Americans said the average person could not afford a home in their area, and 69% were worried about their children and grandchildren being able to afford a home. That’s unfair. Everyone deserves a good roof over their...

Chicago teachers nearly triple private-sector salary growth

By Bryce Hill

03/13/2024

Today’s average CPS teacher has seen a salary increase of 86% since the 2011-2012 school year. That’s over 2.5 times faster than inflation or the private sector.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Nearly all Illinois metro areas lost population in 2021

By Bryce Hill

03/25/2022

Illinois’ record population decline affected virtually all of the state’s largest cities.

TAGS: Illinois, metro areas, outmigration, population

Only 1 Illinois metro area fully recovered its pandemic-related job losses

By Bryce Hill

03/24/2022

Bloomington is the only metro area to recover jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and statewide mandated shutdowns. Illinois is still missing 200,100 jobs as of January 2020.

TAGS: Bloomington, COVID-19, economic recovery, jobs, unemployment

Chicago metropolitan area

CTA violent crime nears decade high as feds threaten funding cuts

Suburban Chicago house tax plan would choke lagging growth

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

Greater Chicago hit hard as Illinois sees 2,342 mass layoffs in January

O’Hare one of worst airports for wait times ahead of Thanksgiving travel

CTA ridership just 60% of pre-COVID levels while budget is 30% higher

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Chicago teachers nearly triple private-sector salary growth

Nearly all Illinois metro areas lost population in 2021

Only 1 Illinois metro area fully recovered its pandemic-related job losses

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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