A series of occupational licensing reform bills making their way out of the General Assembly would help more Illinoisans enter the workforce.

Regulatory regimes in Illinois often discourage workforce participation without enhancing public welfare. One Senate bill, however, would require regulators to demonstrate the necessity of new rules before imposing them on workers.

As outmigration fuels population decline throughout the state, Cook County saw the largest numeric population loss of any county in the nation.

Twelve of the 29 Illinois cities with over 50,000 in population are losing residents.