Food aid feeds almost 2M statewide in May, 1-in-3 in southern counties

By Lauren Zuar

09/12/2025

Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dropped by 3.2% in May. Still, nearly 2 million Illinoisans relied on federal food aid, with participation rates exceeding 30% in some Southern Illinois counties.

Medicaid enrollment, spending soar in Illinois as Congress weighs cuts

By Chris Coffey

03/27/2025

Expansions to Medicaid because of the Affordable Care Act and COVID-19 have increased the program in Illinois as Congress considers potential cuts or work requirements.

Illinois can boost housing affordability with statewide zoning reform

By Ravi Mishra

09/17/2024

Oregon made statewide changes in its zoning policies to help keep housing prices affordable. Many states have followed its lead. Illinois should, too.

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

07/09/2024

Published July 9, 2024 America is facing a housing affordability crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 73% of Americans said the average person could not afford a home in their area, and 69% were worried about their children and grandchildren being able to afford a home. That’s unfair. Everyone deserves a good roof over their...

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

By Joe Tabor

08/17/2022

Published Aug. 17, 2022 Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension...

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

Illinois red-light cameras have collected more than $1B from drivers since 2008

By Austin Berg

10/14/2019

Red-light cameras are taking more and more money from Illinois motorists. But dubious safety benefits, a cloud of corruption and a bipartisan bill in Springfield may combine to take them off the streets.

Puzzled by property taxes: Improving transparency and fairness in Illinois’ assessment system

By Amy Korte

07/19/2018

Illinois should take steps toward more accurate and frequent property assessments to ensure the tax burden is distributed as fairly as possible.

Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process

By Joe Tabor, Ted Dabrowski

01/04/2017

The little-known legislative rules that govern the legislative process in the Illinois House of Representatives give the House speaker extraordinary power to orchestrate the legislative or political outcomes he or she wants. Those rules allow the speaker to influence the makeup of legislative committees; how lawmakers vote; and when, if ever, the bills get voted...

Asset forfeiture in Illinois: What it is, where it happens, and reforms the state needs

By Ben Ruddell, Bryant Jackson-Green

11/16/2016

Most people expect Illinois law enforcement to defend the private property of Illinois residents. As long as you obey the law, your life, liberty and property should be secure from the law – or so common sense would suggest. Yet, every year, Illinois law enforcement agencies take tens of millions of dollars in cash, vehicles,...

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Food aid feeds almost 2M statewide in May, 1-in-3 in southern counties

Medicaid enrollment, spending soar in Illinois as Congress weighs cuts

Illinois can boost housing affordability with statewide zoning reform

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

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

Illinois red-light cameras have collected more than $1B from drivers since 2008

Puzzled by property taxes: Improving transparency and fairness in Illinois’ assessment system

Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process

Asset forfeiture in Illinois: What it is, where it happens, and reforms the state needs

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