Nearly all Illinois metro areas lost population in 2021

By Bryce Hill

03/25/2022

Illinois’ record population decline affected virtually all of the state’s largest cities.

TAGS: Illinois, metro areas, outmigration, population

Only 1 Illinois metro area fully recovered its pandemic-related job losses

By Bryce Hill

03/24/2022

Bloomington is the only metro area to recover jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and statewide mandated shutdowns. Illinois is still missing 200,100 jobs as of January 2020.

TAGS: Bloomington, COVID-19, economic recovery, jobs, unemployment

How to eliminate Illinois’ pension debt without hurting retirees

By Dylan Sharkey

02/09/2022

Illinois lawmakers haven’t taken up pension legislation in nearly a decade. It’s time to give voters a chance to fix the problem driving state fiscal woes. A constitutional amendment can fix the unsustainable public pension systems.

TAGS: Illinois, pensions, Tier 3

Illinois public school enrollment continues to drop

By Amy Korte

02/08/2022

Frustrated with COVID-19 disruptions and remote learning, more Illinois parents are pursing non-public school options.

TAGS: enrollment, Illinois, public schools

Crime surge, police exodus put Illinois criminal justice reforms in crosshairs

By Dylan Sharkey

01/24/2022

Eliminating cash bail and regulating police officers were parts of Illinois’ SAFE-T Act that some lawmakers blame for a rise in crime and loss of police officers. Republican state lawmakers want it repealed, while Democrats say it just needs tweaks.

TAGS: Chicago, crime, police, SAFE-T Act

Pritzker bans outside donors ahead of Illinois Supreme Court races

By Patrick Andriesen

12/10/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker banned ‘dark money’ in Illinois’ judicial elections after record spending unseated a longtime Madigan ally from the Illinois Supreme Court. Voters will decide more high court vacancies soon.

TAGS: Illinois Supreme Court, JB Pritzker

Illinois police, firefighters push back on state control of pensions

By Patrick Andriesen

12/06/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill to consolidate local police and firefighter pensions from across downstate Illinois, but beneficiaries are suing because the state is notorious for poor pension management.

TAGS: consolidation, government unions, Illinois, pensions

Peoria mayor on pensions: ‘We’ll never catch up, not in our lifetimes’

By Patrick Andriesen

11/29/2021

Peoria leaders said they are in ‘survival mode’ and need to take $4 million from this year’s budget to help make pension payments for the next two years. The mayor calls for state action to fix the pension debt crisis.

TAGS: pensions, Peoria

Illinois’ rising property taxes driven by $75 billion local pension debt

By Adam Schuster

09/27/2021

Rapidly rising property taxes and growing pension costs leave homeowners asked to pay more to get less. Relief requires structural pension reform, starting with a constitutional amendment.

TAGS: Illinois, pensions, property taxes

Pensions in Quincy cost 126% of municipal property taxes

By Adam Schuster, Justin Carlson

09/24/2021

Quincy property taxes do not generate enough to fund the municipal pension costs. Even with that heavy burden, there is so much state and local pension debt that the average Quincy household owns more than $35,600.

TAGS: pensions, property taxes, Quincy

Peoria

Nearly all Illinois metro areas lost population in 2021

Only 1 Illinois metro area fully recovered its pandemic-related job losses

How to eliminate Illinois’ pension debt without hurting retirees

Illinois public school enrollment continues to drop

Crime surge, police exodus put Illinois criminal justice reforms in crosshairs

Pritzker bans outside donors ahead of Illinois Supreme Court races

Illinois police, firefighters push back on state control of pensions

Peoria mayor on pensions: ‘We’ll never catch up, not in our lifetimes’

Illinois’ rising property taxes driven by $75 billion local pension debt

Pensions in Quincy cost 126% of municipal property taxes

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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