United Van Lines: Illinois 2nd in nation for residents leaving

By Dylan Sharkey

01/02/2024

Illinois saw the second-highest rate of residents moving out in the nation based on a survey by United Van Lines. Illinois has experienced 10 straight years of population loss.

Illinois’ new nuclear bill goes dark before it can spark

By Jess Plowman

01/01/2024

While technically ending Illinois’ nuclear power plant moratorium, a new law does not allow even one watt of nuclear energy to be generated for the public electrical grid.

Illinoisans expected to bet $300 million on holiday football

By Dylan Sharkey

12/29/2023

Illinoisans will have wagered more than $300 million on football during December, or roughly $25 a person. Illinois is the second-largest sports betting market in the nation.

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’ Midwest-leading minimum wage increases again in January 2024

By Patrick Andriesen

12/28/2023

Non-tipped workers will see their hourly wage hit $14 an hour while tipped employees will collect $8.40 thanks to the next minimum wage hike on January 1, 2024.

All neighbor states grow as Illinois population shrinks by 32,826

By Bryce Hill

12/28/2023

Illinoisans moving to other states was the sole reason for population decline in 2023. It’s not a Midwestern thing, because our neighbors are growing.

Lawyers, guns, money, plus 9 other Illinois laws to know starting Jan. 1

By Patrick Andriesen

12/28/2023

There are over 150 new laws going into effect in 2024, but here are a dozen likely to affect your life. They might impact the cost of a burger, your gun ownership, where you can vape and who your local police officer is and what that officer can do.

Every 6 minutes, 16 seconds, Illinois loses another resident

By Bryce Hill

12/27/2023

People choosing to move out of state again drove Illinois’ population to decline from July 2022-July 2023. Another one left every 6 minutes and 16 seconds.

Chicago Teachers Union tried to kill bill to help students earn early college credit

By Mailee Smith

12/27/2023

A recent study found less than one-third of Chicago Public Schools graduates earn their bachelor’s in four years. Yet back in 2018, the Chicago Teachers Union tried to kill legislation giving students a head start on college.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

1 in 5 Illinois adults is illiterate, but it’s 1 in 4 in Cook County

By Hannah Schmid

12/26/2023

Research shows income and adult literacy are strongly related. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics show 20% of Illinois adults are “functionally illiterate.” Cook County’s rate is 25%.

TAGS: Cook County

Illinois

United Van Lines: Illinois 2nd in nation for residents leaving

Illinois’ new nuclear bill goes dark before it can spark

Illinoisans expected to bet $300 million on holiday football

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

Illinois’ Midwest-leading minimum wage increases again in January 2024

All neighbor states grow as Illinois population shrinks by 32,826

Lawyers, guns, money, plus 9 other Illinois laws to know starting Jan. 1

Every 6 minutes, 16 seconds, Illinois loses another resident

Chicago Teachers Union tried to kill bill to help students earn early college credit

1 in 5 Illinois adults is illiterate, but it’s 1 in 4 in Cook County

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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