It’s time Illinois legalized fireworks

By Austin Berg

06/29/2017

The Land of Lincoln is one of only six states to impose harsh restrictions on the sale and possession of fireworks.

Michigan introduces 401(k)-style plan for teachers

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

06/16/2017

With the successful passage of 401(k)-style pension reform in Michigan’s state legislature, Illinois lawmakers should examine their own growing pension crisis and pursue bolder reforms to stabilize the state’s finances.

TAGS: 401(k), Michigan, pensions

Where have all the new homes gone?

By Austin Berg

06/15/2017

Compared with Illinois’ pre-recession average, permits for new single-family and multiunit housing are down more than 60 percent.

TAGS: construction, housing, local government, prevailing wage, property taxes, workers compensation

Chicago only major U.S. city to lose population from 2015 to 2016

By Michael Lucci

05/25/2017

While major headlines broke over news that Chicago was the only one of America’s largest 20 cities to shrink from July 2015 to July 2016, most of Illinois’ other cities with 50,000 people or more also lost population.

TAGS: Berwyn, Champaign, Chicago, Cicero, Decatur, Oak Park, outmigration, Peoria, population, U.S. Census Bureau

Illinois has lost 195,000 millennial college students since 2000

By Madelyn Harwood

05/23/2017

Illinois lost more millennial college students than any other state except New Jersey between 2000 and 2014, and Illinois’ loss of young people appears to be accelerating.

TAGS: millennials, outmigration, population

7 Illinois properties rank among nation’s top 100 property tax bills

By Brendan Bakala

05/23/2017

Though most of the top 100 property tax bills came from New York, the state with the second most entries was Illinois. The 13th highest bill in the country belonged to Exelon’s nuclear generating station in Byron, Illinois, totaling $36.5 million in 2016.

TAGS: property taxes

Illinois’ economic weakness results in nation’s highest black unemployment rate

By Michael Lucci

05/22/2017

Only 51 percent of black adults reported having some form of work in Illinois.

Illinois has the nation’s highest black unemployment rate

By Michael Lucci

05/20/2017

New Bureau of Labor Statistics data show Illinois’ black residents have an unemployment rate of 12.7 percent, more than double the state’s overall rate.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment, unemployment

Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014

By Madelyn Harwood

05/17/2017

By fixing cost drivers, decreasing the cost of doing business in Illinois, and easing the tax burden, Illinois can encourage jobs growth and stand a better chance at attracting and retaining younger people.

U-Haul prices reveal high demand to get out of Illinois

By Michael Lucci

05/10/2017

Illinois had a record loss of 114,000 residents to other states in 2016.

TAGS: outmigration, population, uhaul

Michigan

It’s time Illinois legalized fireworks

Michigan introduces 401(k)-style plan for teachers

Where have all the new homes gone?

Chicago only major U.S. city to lose population from 2015 to 2016

Illinois has lost 195,000 millennial college students since 2000

7 Illinois properties rank among nation’s top 100 property tax bills

Illinois’ economic weakness results in nation’s highest black unemployment rate

Illinois has the nation’s highest black unemployment rate

Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014

U-Haul prices reveal high demand to get out of Illinois

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