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

Nine of 15 Illinois metros add jobs in December as employment gains trail nation

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

02/05/2025

New data shows nine of 15 Illinois metropolitan areas added jobs in December as the state gained 8,800 jobs. Ten metro areas reported higher unemployment than the national average.

Unemployment persists in Illinois metro areas during August

By Ravi Mishra

10/03/2024

Illinois’ job market outpaced the national average during August. But 13 of Illinois’ 15 metropolitan areas continued to have higher unemployment rates than the national average.

TAGS: unemployment

Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

By Joe Tabor

09/26/2024

Published Sept. 26, 2024 Illinois is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. Over a third of residents are considered “burdened” by housing costs, meaning they pay over 30% of their income on costs related to housing. That is a greater portion of residents burdened by housing than any other state in the Midwest....

Unemployment tops U.S. average in all but 2 Illinois areas during June

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

07/30/2024

Despite some growth, high unemployment remains a persistent issue in Illinois with 13 of 15 metropolitan areas showing higher rates of unemployment than the national average.

TAGS: jobs

Downstate areas lag Chicago, Midwest in house building permits

By Joe Tabor

07/22/2024

Out of 90 Midwestern metropolitan areas, Illinois has four in the bottom 10 for new housing per capita in 2023. Housing affordability is directly linked to getting units built.

TAGS: housing

Illinois’ 15 metro areas all see unemployment higher than U.S. rate

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

07/03/2024

Despite some growth, high unemployment remains an issue in Illinois. All 15 metropolitan areas showed higher rates of unemployment than the national average.

TAGS: employment

10 Illinois metro areas add jobs in February, 5 await pandemic recovery

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

03/22/2024

10 of the 13 Illinois metro areas added jobs from January 2024 to February 2024, led by the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area. Five still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic.

Every Illinois metro area lost people in 2023; Chicago 3rd worst in nation

By Bryce Hill

03/15/2024

Illinois’ population decline crisis has now spread to every major metropolitan area in the state. Chicago continued losing residents in 2023.

Illinois city outlaws trick-or-treating beyond age 12

By Dylan Sharkey

10/24/2023

Some Illinois communities see regulating any mischief on Halloween as a real treat. Belleville prohibits anyone older than 12 from trick-or-treating, with fines up to $1,000.

Decatur

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

Nine of 15 Illinois metros add jobs in December as employment gains trail nation

Unemployment persists in Illinois metro areas during August

Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

Unemployment tops U.S. average in all but 2 Illinois areas during June

Downstate areas lag Chicago, Midwest in house building permits

Illinois’ 15 metro areas all see unemployment higher than U.S. rate

10 Illinois metro areas add jobs in February, 5 await pandemic recovery

Every Illinois metro area lost people in 2023; Chicago 3rd worst in nation

Illinois city outlaws trick-or-treating beyond age 12

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