Illinois tied for third-worst unemployment rate in the U.S.

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

06/25/2024

Illinois' employment growth lags the nation and neighboring states in May.

Editorial: Illinois’ spending plan is divorced from its fiscal reality

By Hilary Gowins

06/03/2024

The state has enormous debts, and state leaders must pay it down or legally restructure obligations. Until they do, the painful reality is we can’t afford new spending.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois retailers taxed $186M by capping sales tax credit

By Patrick Andriesen

05/30/2024

A cap on the retailers’ sales tax credit will effectively hikes taxes on Illinois retailers by $186 million. Retailers are already facing razor-thin margins, but the record $53.1 billion state budget required $1.1 billion in new taxes.

TAGS: sales tax

Literacy in Illinois: Low third-grade reading proficiency warns of trouble ahead

By Hannah Schmid

05/30/2024

Third grade marks a critical reading milestone: if students struggle then, they will face greater problems during the rest of their educations. State data shows 7 of 10 Illinois third graders can’t read at grade level, meaning there’s trouble awaiting most Illinois students.

TAGS: public schools

Illinois General Assembly OKs $1.1B in tax hikes for record $53.1B spending

By Bryce Hill

05/29/2024

Illinois state lawmakers’ spending plans came in $410 million higher than what Gov. J.B. Pritzker originally proposed. Taxpayers will be forced to pay $1.1 billion more so Illinois can spend record amounts in fiscal year 2025.

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, taxes

2024 NASCAR ticket price up to $270 higher thanks to Chicago tax

By Patrick Andriesen

05/27/2024

The typical racing fan will pay an extra $22 for general admission to Chicago’s NASCAR “Street Race Weekend” thanks to the city’s amusement tax. Luxury seating could cost residents more than the price of a standard ticket in taxes alone.

TAGS: Chicago, NASCAR, taxes

Illinois’ Black unemployment rate No. 2 in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

05/22/2024

Black workers in Illinois face a tougher job market than peers nationally. Hispanic men, Asians face lower unemployment rates relative to peers in other states.

TAGS: unemployment

Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd-worst in the nation

By Jon Josko, Ravi Mishra

05/17/2024

Illinois’ unemployment rate for April was near the highest in the U.S. Its recovery lags the nation by nearly a full percentage point.

Phoenix’s building permit privatization could help reverse Illinois’ housing woes

By Joe Tabor

05/07/2024

Phoenix, Arizona, established a program to streamline building permits for certain projects. It has seen results. It could help Illinois’ drop in housing permits.

TAGS: affordable housing

Midwestern United States

Illinois tied for third-worst unemployment rate in the U.S.

Editorial: Illinois’ spending plan is divorced from its fiscal reality

Illinois retailers taxed $186M by capping sales tax credit

Literacy in Illinois: Low third-grade reading proficiency warns of trouble ahead

Illinois General Assembly OKs $1.1B in tax hikes for record $53.1B spending

2024 NASCAR ticket price up to $270 higher thanks to Chicago tax

Illinois’ Black unemployment rate No. 2 in U.S.

Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd-worst in the nation

Phoenix’s building permit privatization could help reverse Illinois’ housing woes

2024 NASCAR ticket price up to $270 higher thanks to Chicago tax

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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