44K international migrants offset 40K Illinoisans leaving last year

By Bryce Hill

01/27/2026

Illinois’ population grew by 16,108 in 2025 thanks to an influx of people migrating from other countries. But Illinoisans moving away offset most of that gain.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Illinois is No. 3 for workforce development

By Josh Bandoch

01/26/2026

Illinois’ strong colleges and workforce training help reduce unemployment and close skill gaps, ranking No. 1 in the Midwest and No. 3 nationally.

Illinois state lawmakers boost their own pay

By Lilly Rossi

01/19/2026

Taxpayers usually get told what raise they will receive. They also get told what raises they will give: to state lawmakers, and by those same lawmakers.

How Illinois has changed under Pritzker

By Dylan Sharkey

01/05/2026

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is acting like the 2028 Democratic candidate for president. But what does Pritzker’s Illinois resume say about his leadership?

Taxpayers pay $23.6M for Chicago Public Schools vacations

By Lilly Rossi

11/17/2025

Chicago Public Schools employees spent $23.6 million in tax dollars on lavish vacations at 5-star hotels and overseas trips. Much of it was without approval.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

What to know about new IFT head Stacy Davis Gates

By Mailee Smith

11/06/2025

Stacy Davis Gates brought controversy, conflict to the Chicago Teachers Union. With her as their president, Illinois Federation of Teachers members can expect the same.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Vallas: Legislation buys CTA time to fix itself, but will it?

By Paul Vallas

11/04/2025

New taxes buy the Chicago Transit Authority some time, but state lawmakers failed fix anything that led to the crisis. Here are three ways city leaders can fix the CTA.

Chicago ranks among America’s least safe cities

By LyLena Estabine

10/27/2025

While Aurora sits near the top of the safety rankings, Chicago lands near the bottom undermining claims by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson.

TAGS: crime

Chicago Teachers Union’s radical agenda is coming to a school district near you

By Mailee Smith

10/21/2025

The scandal-plagued president of the Chicago Teachers Union will now also be leading the Illinois Federation of Teachers, which has affiliates in at least 200 districts across the state.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, Stacy Davis Gates

Budget black hole: Pensions and debt devour Chicago budget

By Geoff Feinstein

10/21/2025

Pensions and debt dominate Chicago’s spending increases, crowding out core services. Without reform, rising obligations will drag the city into deeper financial trouble.

New York

44K international migrants offset 40K Illinoisans leaving last year

Illinois is No. 3 for workforce development

Illinois state lawmakers boost their own pay

How Illinois has changed under Pritzker

Taxpayers pay $23.6M for Chicago Public Schools vacations

What to know about new IFT head Stacy Davis Gates

Vallas: Legislation buys CTA time to fix itself, but will it?

Chicago ranks among America’s least safe cities

Chicago Teachers Union’s radical agenda is coming to a school district near you

Budget black hole: Pensions and debt devour Chicago budget

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