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...

Illinois population grows in 2024 despite 56K residents leaving for other states

By Bryce Hill

12/19/2024

A massive influx of 112,955 international migrants boosted Illinois population in 2024, new Census Bureau data shows. Buses from Texas likely grew Illinois’ population.

TAGS: Chicago, outmigration, population

Illinois part of national epidemic, with only 1 in 3 students reading well

By Hannah Schmid

09/19/2024

Student literacy is in trouble nationally, which is why Illinois is one of 35 states where just 1 in 3 – or fewer – of its fourth graders met reading standards in 2022.

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...

Illinois population drop, departures among worst in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

12/29/2023

Illinois lost 83,839 residents who moved to other states, one of the highest rates in the U.S. and driving a 10th consecutive year of population decline. It ranks near the bottom on multiple other population measures, too.

Illinois’ excessive job licensing keeps Chicagoans in poverty

By Joe Tabor

12/01/2023

Occupational licensing is more burdensome in Illinois than in neighboring states for many professions. Those barriers are unreasonably keeping poor Illinoisans and Chicagoans from finding work.

TAGS: occupational licensing

Illinois again taxing your groceries starting July 1

By Dylan Sharkey

06/28/2023

Illinoisans will notice more expensive food July 1 when Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s election-year suspension of the grocery tax expires. Only Illinois and 12 other states will tax groceries then.

Illinois grocery tax returns July 1

By Dylan Sharkey

06/06/2023

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s temporary tax relief expires July 1 when Illinois reinstates the grocery tax instead of joining the 37 states that don’t tax groceries at all.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

‘Ballot selfies’ are a felony in Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

03/23/2023

Voters wanting to show their Election Day pride should be careful. Sharing a voting-booth selfie on social media is a felony in Illinois.

TAGS: Chicago, election

Busting 3 myths in the ‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ ads

By Mailee Smith

11/02/2022

Down to the wire, and three myths are still being pushed by 'Workers' Rights Amendment' advocates. Affects all workers? False. Other states do it? False. Won't increase property taxes? False.

TAGS: workers rights amendment

Hawaii

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

Illinois population grows in 2024 despite 56K residents leaving for other states

Illinois part of national epidemic, with only 1 in 3 students reading well

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Illinois population drop, departures among worst in U.S.

Illinois’ excessive job licensing keeps Chicagoans in poverty

Illinois again taxing your groceries starting July 1

Illinois grocery tax returns July 1

‘Ballot selfies’ are a felony in Illinois

Busting 3 myths in the ‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ ads

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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