Illinois sales taxes highest in Midwest

By Bryce Hill

02/14/2024

Combined state and average local sales tax rate tallies 8.85% in Illinois for 2024. That’s the highest in the Midwest and seventh highest in the nation.

Illinois’ Midwest-leading minimum wage increases again in January 2024

By Patrick Andriesen

12/28/2023

Non-tipped workers will see their hourly wage hit $14 an hour while tipped employees will collect $8.40 thanks to the next minimum wage hike on January 1, 2024.

All neighbor states grow as Illinois population shrinks by 32,826

By Bryce Hill

12/28/2023

Illinoisans moving to other states was the sole reason for population decline in 2023. It’s not a Midwestern thing, because our neighbors are growing.

Too much occupational licensing could stop people from moving to Illinois

By Joe Tabor

12/25/2023

Illinois has seen continual population loss for a decade. While taxes and lack of opportunities are driving people away, the state’s licensing requirements could be keeping people from moving in.

TAGS: occupational licensing

Illinois’ occupational licenses make it easier for holiday burglars

By Dylan Sharkey

12/24/2023

Illinois’ burdensome licensing for security alarm installers discourage potential workers, potentially making Illinois an easier target for burglars such as the Grinch or the Wet Bandits from “Home Alone.”

Kit Kat, Twix cost less because Halloween treat taxes are tricky in Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

10/17/2023

A spooky statute in Illinois says sweets made with flour aren’t candy. Halloween shoppers can dodge Illinois’ higher candy tax by checking ingredients.

Illinois cannabis buyers pay 89% more than U.S. average

By Patrick Andriesen

08/29/2023

The new report published by Headset found Illinoisans are paying 89% more for the average cannabis item than the rest of the nation. Researchers attribute the high prices to stifled competition.

TAGS: marijuana

Illinois recovered pandemic-era job losses in July – a year later than the rest of the country

By Bryce Hill, Justin Carlson

08/17/2023

The state finally surpassed January 2020 job levels after 37 states had already done so, including all of Illinois’ neighbors except Michigan.

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

By John Tillman

07/04/2023

We too often call it the “Fourth of July” and lose sight of its true meaning – independence. Independence from tyranny and the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness.

TAGS: freedom, Illinois, Independence Day

California considers misleading labor amendment modeled after Illinois’ Amendment 1

By Mailee Smith

06/13/2023

Illinois labor leaders claimed their push to enshrine public union supremacy in the Illinois Constitution was the “blueprint” for other states. Now both California and Pennsylvania are following Illinois’ lead.

TAGS: Amendment 1

Michigan

Illinois sales taxes highest in Midwest

Illinois’ Midwest-leading minimum wage increases again in January 2024

All neighbor states grow as Illinois population shrinks by 32,826

Too much occupational licensing could stop people from moving to Illinois

Illinois’ occupational licenses make it easier for holiday burglars

Kit Kat, Twix cost less because Halloween treat taxes are tricky in Illinois

Illinois cannabis buyers pay 89% more than U.S. average

Illinois recovered pandemic-era job losses in July – a year later than the rest of the country

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

California considers misleading labor amendment modeled after Illinois’ Amendment 1

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