2024 State of the State: Federal rescue is over, so Illinois needs caution

By Bryce Hill

02/20/2024

The pandemic had an upside for Illinois state finances – infusing federal dollars as state revenues exceeded projections. Now federal aid is gone. Illinoisans’ ongoing struggles warrant caution, reform in the state’s fiscal year 2025 budget.

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.

Underachiever: Illinois lags nation in jobs, but growth potential is high

By Bryce Hill

02/12/2024

2023 data on Illinois’ labor market gives cause for both concern and hope as state emerges from pandemic job losses.

Upward mobility tougher in Illinois than in rest of Midwest, most of U.S.

By Joe Tabor

02/07/2024

Illinois ranked 40th overall and the worst in the Midwest for social mobility, a new report found.

Illinois corporate income tax rate hits No. 2 in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

01/29/2024

Illinois businesses pay the nation’s second-highest corporate income tax rates. Chicago is considering taxing them more.

Common-ground solutions to empower Chicago’s poor: A model for America’s cities

By Josh Bandoch

01/25/2024

Published Jan. 25, 2024

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.

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.”

Illinois holiday shoppers pay sales taxes as high as 11.5%

By Patrick Andriesen

12/22/2023

Sales taxes up to 11.5% will greet some Cook County shoppers this holiday season. Illinois averages 8.82% in sales taxes statewide, slightly more than last year and the seventh highest nationwide.

Illinoisans rely on food stamps for Christmas dinner

By Dylan Sharkey

12/20/2023

This holiday season, nearly 2 million Illinoisans will rely on federal food assistance. Illinois is eighth in the country for highest reliance on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

TAGS: SNAP

Midwestern United States

2024 State of the State: Federal rescue is over, so Illinois needs caution

Illinois sales taxes highest in Midwest

Underachiever: Illinois lags nation in jobs, but growth potential is high

Upward mobility tougher in Illinois than in rest of Midwest, most of U.S.

Illinois corporate income tax rate hits No. 2 in U.S.

Common-ground solutions to empower Chicago’s poor: A model for America’s cities

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

Illinois’ occupational licenses make it easier for holiday burglars

Illinois holiday shoppers pay sales taxes as high as 11.5%

Illinoisans rely on food stamps for Christmas dinner

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help 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