Illinois adds 20,300 jobs in a year, but 301,000 seek work in July

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

08/20/2025

Illinois continues to be one of the slowest growing economies in the nation, ranking 46th in post-pandemic job recovery and adding just 20,300 jobs in the past year. Unemployment remained above the national average.

Iowa barbers now earn as they learn; Illinois forces $38k in costs

By Lauren Zuar

07/08/2025

Iowa just cut cosmetology and barber training red tape, allowing students to learn on the job, get paid and finish debt free. Illinois should do the same, offering apprenticeships in licensed occupations rather than forcing aspiring workers to take on big debt.

Illinois moves over $300M out of road fund as infrastructure crumbles

By Ravi Mishra

07/02/2025

Illinois’ latest budget diverts millions in infrastructure funds to cover structural budget deficits despite substandard road conditions.

Pritzker’s latest gas tax hike greets Independence Day travelers

By Rich Witzel

06/30/2025

Just in time for Independence Day travel, drivers will face Illinois’ latest gasoline tax hike. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has added 29 cents per gallon since 2019 – costing the average driver $143 more per year.

TAGS: gas, JB Pritzker, taxes

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

By Josh Bandoch, Lauren Zuar

06/03/2025

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

70 tax, fee hikes in 15 years. $110B from Illinois taxpayers. More coming?

By Lauren Zuar

05/14/2025

Illinois leaders keep using tax hikes as a budget quick-fix, but the state’s fiscal troubles – and the taxpayer burden – persist. Here are the 70 tax and fee hikes state leaders have imposed during the past 15 years.

Illinois’ February unemployment rate 5th highest in U.S.

By Ravi Mishra

04/10/2025

Unemployment in Illinois remains stubbornly high. February’s unemployment rate was the fifth highest in the nation at 4.8%.

Illinois might revive back-to-school sales tax holiday

By Dylan Sharkey

04/09/2025

Illinois lawmakers are looking at a bill that would cut sales taxes during back-to-school shopping. Illinois hasn’t had a sales tax holiday in years. The bill would lower the state sales tax from 6.25% to 1.25% on clothes and school supplies for six days in August 2025.

TAGS: sales tax

Report: Illinoisans pay nation’s highest combined state, local taxes

By Patrick Andriesen

03/07/2025

Illinois families will pay the highest combined state and local tax burden in the nation this year on the median U.S. income. That’s $13,099, which will consume more than 16.5% of their money.

Illinois is Midwest’s biggest people loser

By Bryce Hill

03/05/2025

Most neighboring states are gaining residents from people moving across state lines. Even of the states losing people, Illinois is losing at a significantly faster rate.

Iowa

Illinois adds 20,300 jobs in a year, but 301,000 seek work in July

Iowa barbers now earn as they learn; Illinois forces $38k in costs

Illinois moves over $300M out of road fund as infrastructure crumbles

Pritzker’s latest gas tax hike greets Independence Day travelers

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

70 tax, fee hikes in 15 years. $110B from Illinois taxpayers. More coming?

Illinois’ February unemployment rate 5th highest in U.S.

Illinois might revive back-to-school sales tax holiday

Report: Illinoisans pay nation’s highest combined state, local taxes

Illinois is Midwest’s biggest people loser

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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