Illinois metro unemployment rates still among worst in U.S.

By Justin Carlson

06/30/2023

While most Illinois metropolitan areas saw job gains last month, unemployment rates remain higher than the U.S. rate in 11 of the state’s 13 metro areas.

Illinois 1 of 3 states banning you from using fireworks

By Dylan Sharkey

06/28/2023

Independence Day means residents of 47 states will celebrate their freedom by choosing to set off fireworks. Not in Illinois.

TAGS: Independence Day

How to protect your vote from fraud in Illinois

By Hannah Schmid

03/16/2023

Illinois voters can join the growing ranks of registered voters who have applied for permanent vote-by-mail status to ensure they never miss another election and their vote cannot be stolen.

TAGS: Chicago voting, Illinois voting, mail-in ballot, vote-by-mail

What are the facts about voting by mail in Illinois?

By Hannah Schmid

03/16/2023

Applications are open for registered voters to apply to vote by mail in the upcoming April 4 local elections.

TAGS: Chicago election, city of chicago, local elections, vote-by-mail

Full text of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State speech

02/15/2023

Here’s what Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker had to say about how Illinois is faring and what his priorities will be in the fiscal year 2024 budget.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois loses a resident every 3 minutes, 43 seconds

By Bryce Hill

12/22/2022

More Illinoisans fled for other states from July 2021-July 2022 than during any other year in recorded history, driving the state’s record population decline.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration, population

Outmigration caused Illinois’ population to decline again in 2022

By Bryce Hill

12/22/2022

New Census Bureau data shows people moving out of Illinois continues to drive the state’s population decline. So many moved away in the year before July 2022, it was almost like Rockford disappearing.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration, population

Illinois metro areas’ unemployment rates among worst in U.S.

By Justin Carlson

12/16/2022

Illinois’ metro areas already face unemployment problems, with some of the nation’s worst rates. They could be hit harder by a recession than other places in the nation.

Nearly half of Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost jobs in August

By Justin Carlson

09/28/2022

The latest job numbers show Illinois continues struggling to recover pandemic job losses, a bad sign for its lagging economy as recession fears rise.

Get the facts: Amendment 1 study guide

By Mailee Smith, Bryce Hill

08/26/2022

The so-called “Workers’ Rights Amendment” would lead to substantial tax increases for working Illinoisans and small business owners.

TAGS: Amendment 1, workers rights amendment

Rockford

Illinois metro unemployment rates still among worst in U.S.

Illinois 1 of 3 states banning you from using fireworks

How to protect your vote from fraud in Illinois

What are the facts about voting by mail in Illinois?

Full text of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State speech

Illinois loses a resident every 3 minutes, 43 seconds

Outmigration caused Illinois’ population to decline again in 2022

Illinois metro areas’ unemployment rates among worst in U.S.

Nearly half of Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost jobs in August

Get the facts: Amendment 1 study guide

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students