Illinois still missing 1 in 7 jobs lost during pandemic

By Bryce Hill

08/01/2022

With the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest and 117,000 jobs still missing, Illinois’ labor market is among the least recovered in the region.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economic recovery, employment, job creation, jobs

Neighbor states pursue real tax reform as Pritzker offers election-year gimmicks

By Justin Carlson

05/03/2022

While Illinois settles for Pritzker’s temporary relief that mostly expires after the November election, its neighbor states are making long-term changes to help grow their economies.

TAGS: Illinois, Midwest, taxes

Illinois’ state, local tax burden highest in Midwest after 2nd-largest increase in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

04/11/2022

The effective state and local tax burden in Illinois has risen from 11.2% in 2019 to 12.9% in 2022. It is now the nation’s seventh highest.

TAGS: Illinois, tax burden

CTU-backed Amendment 1 would give teachers unions power over Illinois parents

By Mailee Smith

02/15/2022

Chicago Teachers Union takes credit for spreading the “new gospel” of union strike power across the nation. If the CTU-backed Amendment 1 passes in November, it will lock the union’s militant tactics into the state constitution, to the detriment of children and parents statewide.

TAGS: Amendment 1, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

IDES report detailing scope of Illinois unemployment fraud remains unpublished one year later

By Patrick Andriesen

02/14/2022

Nearly a year after Illinois lawmakers requested a comprehensive audit of state unemployment fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic, IDES, the state agency in charge of issuing assistance, remains unable to tabulate how much money was lost to scammers.

TAGS: fraud, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Illinois Forward 2023: Only pension, budget reform can save taxpayers when federal aid ends

01/30/2022

Published Jan. 30, 2022

Illinois 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021

By Bryce Hill

01/14/2022

Illinoisans fled at a record pace in 2021. The state lost 122,460 residents on net because of moves to other states.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration, population

Moving vans leave Illinois at over 9-times rate of other Midwestern states

By Bryce Hill

12/22/2021

Illinois suffered the largest population decline in the Midwest and of neighboring states during 2021.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration, population

Statewide COVID-19 school mandates draw ire of superintendents

By Patrick Andriesen

11/22/2021

A group of school district superintendents called on the Illinois State Board of Education to oppose statewide mask and other mandates, letting local schools decide how best to handle COVID-19 mitigation.

TAGS: COVID-19, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, JB Pritzker, masks

Illinois schools outspend, underperform neighbors

By Adam Schuster

10/04/2021

Illinois test scores lag nearby states as administrative bloat keeps money from classrooms

TAGS: education spending, Illinois

Kentucky

Illinois still missing 1 in 7 jobs lost during pandemic

Neighbor states pursue real tax reform as Pritzker offers election-year gimmicks

Illinois’ state, local tax burden highest in Midwest after 2nd-largest increase in U.S.

CTU-backed Amendment 1 would give teachers unions power over Illinois parents

IDES report detailing scope of Illinois unemployment fraud remains unpublished one year later

Illinois Forward 2023: Only pension, budget reform can save taxpayers when federal aid ends

Illinois 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021

Moving vans leave Illinois at over 9-times rate of other Midwestern states

Statewide COVID-19 school mandates draw ire of superintendents

Illinois schools outspend, underperform neighbors

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit 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