Pritzker blames Trump for cuts, but Illinois is high risk for recession

By Dylan Sharkey

09/26/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said state agencies need to trim 4%, blaming President Donald Trump and a slowing national economy. Illinois’ economic woes started long before Trump.

TAGS: Donald Trump, JB Pritzker

Businesses moving out of Illinois triples since pandemic

By Bryce Hill

08/12/2025

Illinois lost 218 businesses to other states in 2023, part of an acceleration to triple the rate of what losses were before the pandemic. When adjusted for population, Illinois ranked No. 2 for the most business losses.

North Carolina makes first move to join federal school choice; Illinois should, too

By Patrick Andriesen

08/01/2025

The North Carolina state legislature became the first in the U.S. to approve a bill joining the Educational Choice for Children Act. Illinois owes the same to its children after taking away private-school choice from over 15,000 low-income students.

TAGS: school choice

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

By Josh Bandoch, Lauren Zuar

06/03/2025

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

Illinois’ corporate tax already too high, but Springfield pushes for more

By Ravi Mishra

05/28/2025

If Illinois state lawmakers follow the Chicago Teachers Union’s push for a 7.92% base corporate tax rate, it can severely hurt Illinois’ competitiveness. Job creators do not need another reason to abandon Illinois.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, jobs, taxes

Corporate income taxes have stifled Illinois’ pandemic recovery

By Ravi Mishra

05/07/2025

Illinois has the third-highest corporate income taxes in the nation. These are some of the most harmful taxes to economic growth, particularly in times of economic hardship.

TAGS: corporate income tax

4 of 5 top states Americans moving to have flat or no income tax

By Bryce Hill

02/26/2025

Of the states most Americans are moving to, 4 of 5 have a flat or no income tax. The states losing the most residents? There again, 4 of 5 have progressive taxes. Illinois’ flat tax is an advantage it should keep.

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...

3 ways a ‘millionaire tax’ would hurt Illinois

By Matheus Cosso

10/29/2024

Illinois voters on Nov. 5 will be asked whether they favor a “millionaire tax.” Here are three things to know about it: the tax can be easily avoided, it fails to provide stable revenue and it discourages or limits economic growth.

North Carolina

Pritzker blames Trump for cuts, but Illinois is high risk for recession

Businesses moving out of Illinois triples since pandemic

North Carolina makes first move to join federal school choice; Illinois should, too

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Illinois’ corporate tax already too high, but Springfield pushes for more

Corporate income taxes have stifled Illinois’ pandemic recovery

4 of 5 top states Americans moving to have flat or no income tax

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

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

3 ways a ‘millionaire tax’ would hurt Illinois

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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