Illinois ranks 17th for best state to live in: hurt by economy, affordability

By Jerry Barmore

08/11/2025

A new ranking of the best states to live in puts Illinois at No. 17. It could have scored much better, but the state economy ranked near the bottom of the nation. Quality of life ranked near the top.

Corporate income taxes have stifled Illinois’ pandemic recovery

By Ravi Mishra

05/07/2025

Illinois has the third-highest corporate income taxes in the nation. These are some of the most harmful taxes to economic growth, particularly in times of economic hardship.

TAGS: corporate income tax

Pritzker touts economic growth while proposed budget risks it

By FJ Hilgart

05/01/2025

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget proposal slashes general funds for economic development while relying on federal dollars to mask the cuts. This move raises doubts about the governor’s fiscal priorities.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Cook County property tax bills up 78% as values rise 7%

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

03/27/2025

Typical property tax bill increased 78% on a Cook County residence since 2007. Median property values only rose 7.3%. That leaves residents paying $2,558 more a year in property taxes while their biggest investment fails to keep up with inflation.

TAGS: property taxes

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...

Atlas Van Lines: Illinois 3rd in nation for residents leaving

By Dylan Sharkey

12/09/2024

Illinois saw the third-highest rate of residents moving out in 2024 based on a survey by Atlas Van Lines. Jobs and taxes are among the top reasons people leave Illinois, which is also third in the nation for highest unemployment rate.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

By Josh Bandoch, Larry Han

10/16/2024

Published Oct. 16, 2024 Illinois finds itself at a crossroads: will it empower minorities and poor people to unleash their potential, or will it perpetuate an inequitable status quo? For far too many Illinoisans, opportunity is unfairly and unnecessarily out of reach. Illinois ranks in the bottom ten among all states in social mobility and...

Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

By Joe Tabor

09/26/2024

Published Sept. 26, 2024 Illinois is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. Over a third of residents are considered “burdened” by housing costs, meaning they pay over 30% of their income on costs related to housing. That is a greater portion of residents burdened by housing than any other state in the Midwest....

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.

Pension reform vote coming to suburban Chicago township

By Patrick Andriesen

08/14/2024

Barrington Township will be the first local government in Illinois to give taxpayers a vote on reforming the single-largest property tax driver in the state: public pensions. The advisory referendum will be on the ballot Nov. 5.

TAGS: Barrington, pension reform

Louisiana

Illinois ranks 17th for best state to live in: hurt by economy, affordability

Corporate income taxes have stifled Illinois’ pandemic recovery

Pritzker touts economic growth while proposed budget risks it

Cook County property tax bills up 78% as values rise 7%

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

Atlas Van Lines: Illinois 3rd in nation for residents leaving

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

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

Pension reform vote coming to suburban Chicago township

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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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