Illinois ranks 44th in the country on entrepreneurship and economic growth, which stops people from getting ahead.

Illinois lags both the nation and the Midwest on key indicators of social mobility. The state scores poorly on entrepreneurship, economic growth, institutions and the rule of law.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently signed an executive order to increase access to housing for middle-income families. While many of the proposed solutions still miss the mark, there are some important supply-side reforms that could mark a positive shift for Illinois.

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...