Illinois’ February unemployment rate 5th highest in U.S.

By Ravi Mishra

04/10/2025

Unemployment in Illinois remains stubbornly high. February’s unemployment rate was the fifth highest in the nation at 4.8%.

Teaching Illinois students to be smart with money can cut poverty

By Chris Coffey

04/07/2025

Minnesota and Utah have taken practical approaches to financial literacy education that have measurably improved students’ understanding in both states. Illinois should do more to teach students how to manage their money.

Literacy epidemic hits Illinois as fewer than 1 in 3 students read well

By Hannah Schmid

03/28/2025

Student literacy is in trouble nationally. Illinois is one of 41 states where just 1 in 3 or fewer of its fourth-graders met reading standards in 2024.

TAGS: public schools

Illinois students show continued struggles in reading, math on national exam

By Hannah Schmid

01/30/2025

The nation’s report card was just released and shows Illinois students continue to struggle to meet proficiency standards in reading and math. State leaders are spinning 8th-grade results as a win, but in reality, they lag. Ignored are the struggles of younger students.

TAGS: public schools

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

01/28/2025

Published Jan. 28, 2025 Illinois Policy Institute Center for Poverty Solutions, in partnership with the Archbridge Institute By Joshua Bandoch, Ph.D., head of policy, Illinois Policy Institute and Justin Callais, Ph.D., chief economist, Archbridge Institute EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A low-income person’s ability to move up in society is worse in Illinois than in any other Midwestern...

‘Millionaire tax’ could push Illinois corporate income tax to highest in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

10/29/2024

A push to raise Illinois’ income tax may create the most extreme business income tax rate in the nation. “Millionaire tax” could hurt jobs in a state already struggling.

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

By Josh Bandoch, Larry Han

10/16/2024

Published Oct. 16, 2024 Illinois finds itself at a crossroads: will it empower minorities and poor people to unleash their potential, or will it perpetuate an inequitable status quo? For far too many Illinoisans, opportunity is unfairly and unnecessarily out of reach. Illinois ranks in the bottom ten among all states in social mobility and...

Illinois part of national epidemic, with only 1 in 3 students reading well

By Hannah Schmid

09/19/2024

Student literacy is in trouble nationally, which is why Illinois is one of 35 states where just 1 in 3 – or fewer – of its fourth graders met reading standards in 2022.

Illinois Policy Institute sues over state law violating employers’ freedom of speech

By Patrick Andriesen

08/12/2024

Illinois law now forbids employers from discussing ‘religious or political matters’ with employees. The Illinois Policy Institute is suing because that restriction on its free speech threatens its ability to operate.

TAGS: free speech

Illinois housing least affordable in Midwest

By Ravi Mishra

07/31/2024

It’s tougher to pay for shelter in Illinois than anywhere else in the Midwest, especially if you’re living in poverty. Illinois needs another 113,000 units and nearly 290,000 affordable rental homes to help its low-income families.

Minnesota

Illinois’ February unemployment rate 5th highest in U.S.

Teaching Illinois students to be smart with money can cut poverty

Literacy epidemic hits Illinois as fewer than 1 in 3 students read well

Illinois students show continued struggles in reading, math on national exam

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

‘Millionaire tax’ could push Illinois corporate income tax to highest in U.S.

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

Illinois part of national epidemic, with only 1 in 3 students reading well

Illinois Policy Institute sues over state law violating employers’ freedom of speech

Illinois housing least affordable in Midwest

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