Corporate income taxes have stifled Illinois’ pandemic recovery

By Ravi Mishra

05/07/2025

Illinois has the third-highest corporate income taxes in the nation. These are some of the most harmful taxes to economic growth, particularly in times of economic hardship.

TAGS: corporate income tax

Illinois may take on massive public pension boost with no clue on costs

By Bryce Hill

04/23/2024

Several bills that enhance Tier 2 state worker pension benefits, reduce retirement ages, allow for large end-of-career lump-sum payments and other pension sweeteners are moving through the Illinois General Assembly. They appear to be heading for a vote.

Center for Poverty Solutions: How to better assess poverty in Chicago and America

By Bryce Hill

09/26/2023

Published Sept. 26, 2023 America’s War on Poverty has been an abject failure. Nearly $12 trillion and 60 years later, official poverty rates remain basically unchanged. While the nation waged a well-intentioned assault on poverty, it inadvertently launched a far more sinister war: on dignity. While attempting to eradicate poverty, America created countless government welfare...

Why ‘temporary’ income tax hike, retirement tax won’t fix Illinois pensions

By Justin Carlson

02/24/2023

A Chicago civic group suggests either increasing the state’s personal and corporate income taxes for 10 years or implementing a retirement tax to help pay for the state’s worst-in-the-nation pension debt. Here are the problems with that plan.

Illinois among worst-prepared in nation to weather next recession

By Justin Carlson

01/02/2023

Illinois lawmakers and Gov. J.B. Pritzker reached a deal to pay off $1.8 billion borrowed from the federal government for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a positive step, but the state remains ill-prepared for the next economic shock.

TAGS: Illinois, unemployment

Fed: Illinois unemployment rate 2nd-highest in nation

By Justin Carlson

12/23/2022

Analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia indicates Illinois lost jobs during Q2 rather than gaining, as previously reported. It may still be losing jobs. Illinois ranked No. 2 for highest unemployment in November.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Holiday scratch-offs are no gift to Illinois schools

By Patrick Andriesen

12/18/2022

A closer look at Illinois’ lottery legislation shows lawmakers historically diverted funding away from the classroom. Despite recent legislation, outsized holiday scratcher sales still only translate to slight gains for public schools.

TAGS: illinois lottery

Illinois metro areas’ unemployment rates among worst in U.S.

By Justin Carlson

12/16/2022

Illinois’ metro areas already face unemployment problems, with some of the nation’s worst rates. They could be hit harder by a recession than other places in the nation.

Illinois unemployment highest in U.S. for 2nd month

By Justin Carlson

11/28/2022

Illinois only added 3,600 jobs in October, a drastic drop in job growth coming amid persistent inflation and rising recession fears. Unemployment led the nation.

TAGS: Illinois, unemployment

Small businesses led Illinois’ COVID-19 jobs recovery

By Bryce Hill

11/23/2022

Small Business Saturday offers a reason to be extra thankful: businesses with fewer than 20 employees were the only ones to grow payrolls since COVID-19 hit.

TAGS: COVID-19, small business

Great Recession

Corporate income taxes have stifled Illinois’ pandemic recovery

Illinois may take on massive public pension boost with no clue on costs

Center for Poverty Solutions: How to better assess poverty in Chicago and America

Why ‘temporary’ income tax hike, retirement tax won’t fix Illinois pensions

Illinois among worst-prepared in nation to weather next recession

Fed: Illinois unemployment rate 2nd-highest in nation

Holiday scratch-offs are no gift to Illinois schools

Illinois metro areas’ unemployment rates among worst in U.S.

Illinois unemployment highest in U.S. for 2nd month

Small businesses led Illinois’ COVID-19 jobs recovery

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