Illinois gasoline taxes 2nd highest in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

02/20/2025

Illinoisans pay the second-highest gas taxes in the nation at more than $0.84 per gallon. Only California charges its drivers more.

TAGS: gas tax

Food assistance need grows 12% in Illinois since 2019

By Lauren Zuar

02/19/2025

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans, with around half in Cook County, relied on federal food assistance in October 2024, marking a 12% increase in five years.

TAGS: SNAP

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.

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

01/28/2025

Published Jan. 28, 2025 Illinois Policy Institute Center for Poverty Solutions, in partnership with the Archbridge Institute By Joshua Bandoch, Ph.D., head of policy, Illinois Policy Institute and Justin Callais, Ph.D., chief economist, Archbridge Institute EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A low-income person’s ability to move up in society is worse in Illinois than in any other Midwestern...

Mass layoffs hit 14.7K Illinoisans in 2024, most from business closures

By Patrick Andriesen

01/15/2025

State reports show 14,723 Illinoisans lost their jobs because of mass layoffs during 2024, with two-thirds resulting from business closures.

TAGS: Illinois, unemployment

Another Cook County suburb gives voters say on Illinois issues

By Dylan Sharkey

01/09/2025

Wheeling Township voters will have a chance to weigh in on Illinois state lawmakers imposing unfunded mandates. After the April 1 election, nearly 650,000 Illinoisans’ concerns will have been represented by votes on some of the state’s most pressing issues.

Voters in northwest Cook County take up pension crisis, unfunded mandates

By Dylan Sharkey

01/07/2025

Palatine Township voters will take up some of the state’s most urgent issues at the April 1 election, telling state lawmakers where they stand on public pensions and unfunded state mandates.

TAGS: Cook County

Nearly 9 in 10 layoffs in November from businesses closing

By Patrick Andriesen

12/31/2024

Nearly 9 in 10 of the Illinois job losses announced in November resulted from businesses closing. Chicago led the state for layoffs, followed by Rockford.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Southwest suburban Cook County voters to take up pension reform, key state issues

By Dylan Sharkey

12/27/2024

Voters in Lemont Township are taking up the pension crisis, gerrymandering and unfunded mandates. The township voted to put three questions on the April 1 ballot to let state leaders know they expect progress on the issues.

TAGS: pensions, property taxes

Illinois holiday shoppers pay sales taxes as high as 11.5%

By Jerry Barmore

12/22/2024

Sales taxes up to 11.5% will greet some Cook County shoppers this holiday season. Illinois averages 8.85% in sales taxes statewide, slightly more than last year and the seventh highest nationwide.

TAGS: sales tax

Cook County

Illinois gasoline taxes 2nd highest in nation

Food assistance need grows 12% in Illinois since 2019

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

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

Mass layoffs hit 14.7K Illinoisans in 2024, most from business closures

Another Cook County suburb gives voters say on Illinois issues

Voters in northwest Cook County take up pension crisis, unfunded mandates

Nearly 9 in 10 layoffs in November from businesses closing

Southwest suburban Cook County voters to take up pension reform, key state issues

Illinois holiday shoppers pay sales taxes as high as 11.5%

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