Madigan collects $158K while facing federal corruption trial in Chicago

By Patrick Andriesen

01/29/2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan collected a pension worth $158,000 in 2024 while facing a federal corruption trial in Chicago. Depending on the verdict, taxpayers could be on the hook for another $1 million to cover his remaining benefits.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, pensions

Union membership remains near record low despite big boost in taxpayer-supported jobs

By Mailee Smith

01/29/2025

Rapid growth in government jobs during 2024 did little to fix the downward trajectory of union membership in Illinois. Just 13.1% of workers are union members in the state.

Illinois unemployment still 3rd highest in U.S.

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

01/28/2025

Illinois continues to maintain a sluggish job market and high unemployment. The December unemployment rate was third highest in the nation, where it has remained for months.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

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 school boards should provide opportunities to all kids in their districts

By Mailee Smith

01/27/2025

Some Illinois school boards allow all resident children – including private and homeschooled kids – to participate in district activities. That should be the case for all taxpaying families in all districts.

TAGS: public schools

Amendment would allow Illinoisans to recall state leaders, local politicians

By Dylan Sharkey

01/22/2025

Illinoisans would have the chance to recall state and local politicians under a proposal in Springfield.

TAGS: corruption, Mike Madigan

3 ways to balance Chicago’s next budget without tax hikes

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

01/20/2025

Chicago might have just avoided a property tax hike, but city leaders couldn’t figure out how to pass the 2025 budget without other tax and fee increases. Here’s what the city should do to avoid repeating the same budgeting mistakes next year.

TAGS: Chicago

46 towns have passed a grocery tax. Is your town next?

By Dylan Sharkey

01/16/2025

Already 46 towns around Illinois have voted to impose a 1% grocery tax in 2026. Other Illinoisans will start to save 1% on groceries when the statewide tax ends.

TAGS: grocery tax

5 principles to guide Illinois’ public pension reform

By LyLena Estabine

01/16/2025

With nearly $214 billion in state and local pension debt threatening both retirees and government finances, Illinois needs a new path forward. Here are five principles to guide the state, protect taxpayers and safeguard public servants.

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

Illinois

Madigan collects $158K while facing federal corruption trial in Chicago

Union membership remains near record low despite big boost in taxpayer-supported jobs

Illinois unemployment still 3rd highest in U.S.

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

Illinois school boards should provide opportunities to all kids in their districts

Amendment would allow Illinoisans to recall state leaders, local politicians

3 ways to balance Chicago’s next budget without tax hikes

46 towns have passed a grocery tax. Is your town next?

5 principles to guide Illinois’ public pension reform

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

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