Apprenticeships offer economic opportunity for Illinoisans

By Chris Coffey

07/10/2024

College degrees are just one potential path to prosperity. Apprenticeships are a viable alternative Illinois’ education system should embrace.

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...

Illinois’ 15 metro areas all see unemployment higher than U.S. rate

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

07/03/2024

Despite some growth, high unemployment remains an issue in Illinois. All 15 metropolitan areas showed higher rates of unemployment than the national average.

TAGS: employment

Illinois’ college-first approach isn’t working

By Larry Han

06/28/2024

Many people still view a college degree as a requirement into the workforce and toward future prosperity. The data beg to differ.

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

Midwestern United States

Apprenticeships offer economic opportunity for Illinoisans

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Illinois’ 15 metro areas all see unemployment higher than U.S. rate

Illinois’ college-first approach isn’t working

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 Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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