Illinois cities should learn from Rockford when it comes to spending

By LyLena Estabine

05/29/2025

Since 2017, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara has cut the property tax rate to 1.93% by cutting costs and spending smarter – a playbook other Illinois cities should copy.

Chicago Teachers Union spreads attacks on charter schools across Illinois

By Hannah Schmid

04/08/2025

The tentative agreement between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools will further damage charter schools in Chicago. CTU also has been working in the Statehouse to hinder charter schools and place more restrictions on them statewide.

Illinois loses jobs in January, metro areas lag U.S. job growth

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

03/24/2025

Illinois’ job market continued to struggle in January as the national economy grew. The job troubles were seen in eight of Illinois’ 13 metropolitan areas, with Champaign-Urbana hit the hardest.

TAGS: unemployment

Teachers unions pushing bills to damage Illinois charter schools

By Hannah Schmid

03/03/2025

Bills filed in the Illinois General Assembly would lay the groundwork to close charter schools or place more restrictions on them. Illinois has a history of restricting charter schools at the behest of teachers unions.

TAGS: charter schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Rockford declared hottest housing market in U.S., but low supply is real story

By LyLena Estabine

02/19/2025

Rockford recently made headlines as the nation’s hottest housing market, but the real story is low supply is driving up prices. Changing zoning laws could spur development that would ease the shortage and prices.

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

By Joe Tabor

02/10/2025

Published Feb. 10, 2025 Even though federal COVID relief funds provided an unexpected windfall, that one-time jolt of cash could leave many Illinois localities even worse off than they were before. That boost in revenue allowed local governments to put off difficult budgeting decisions, and as that revenue dries up, municipalities will have to contend...

Market-oriented housing reforms gaining traction in Illinois

By LyLena Estabine

02/03/2025

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.

Nation gains 227K jobs as Illinois loses 3.4K in November

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

01/07/2025

Job growth was healthy across the nation in November with a gain of 227,000. Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost 3,400, with Peoria losing at the fastest rate.

Nearly 9 in 10 layoffs in November from businesses closing

By Patrick Andriesen

12/31/2024

Nearly 9 in 10 of the Illinois job losses announced in November resulted from businesses closing. Chicago led the state for layoffs, followed by Rockford.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Unemployment high in 13 of 15 Illinois metro job markets

By Ravi Mishra

10/30/2024

The statewide Illinois job market outpaced the national average. But 13 of 15 metro areas continued to have higher unemployment rates than the U.S. average.

Rockford

Illinois cities should learn from Rockford when it comes to spending

Chicago Teachers Union spreads attacks on charter schools across Illinois

Illinois loses jobs in January, metro areas lag U.S. job growth

Teachers unions pushing bills to damage Illinois charter schools

Rockford declared hottest housing market in U.S., but low supply is real story

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

Market-oriented housing reforms gaining traction in Illinois

Nation gains 227K jobs as Illinois loses 3.4K in November

Nearly 9 in 10 layoffs in November from businesses closing

Unemployment high in 13 of 15 Illinois metro job markets

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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