Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

By Patrick Andriesen

05/28/2026

Occupational licensing requirements present one of the steepest barriers to low-income Illinoisans starting careers in beauty services. Illinois requires anyone seeking to become a barber, cosmetologist, nail technician or hair braider to obtain a state license, essentially a permission slip to work. Unlike 45 other states, Illinois offers only one pathway to licensure for each...

At least 5 Democratic states are opting into the FSTC. What’s holding up Pritzker?

By Lilly Rossi

05/18/2026

At least 31 states have said they plan to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois combined state, local tax rate tops the country

By Brennan Park

05/13/2026

The amount of state and local taxes paid here also is near the nation’s highest.

Proposed amendment does nothing to curb gerrymandering in Illinois

By Joe Tabor

04/29/2026

If state House Democrats were serious about protecting our votes, they would require competitive elections and remove politicians from the process.

IRS: Illinois led nation in rate of income loss in 2023

By Bryce Hill

04/22/2026

The state lost a bigger share per resident moving out than anywhere else in the country, according to IRS data.

Illinois on track to lose another congressional seat

By Lilly Rossi

02/12/2026

Illinois is on pace to lose a seat in Congress based on new census data. International immigration and interstate migration are driving those projections.

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?

TAGS: JB Pritzker

New York

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

At least 5 Democratic states are opting into the FSTC. What’s holding up Pritzker?

Illinois combined state, local tax rate tops the country

Proposed amendment does nothing to curb gerrymandering in Illinois

IRS: Illinois led nation in rate of income loss in 2023

Illinois on track to lose another congressional seat

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

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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