More than half of Illinois counties suffer outmigration

By Bryce Hill

03/26/2026

Residents are leaving every corner of Illinois for other states despite surging international migration propping up the total population.

Illinois property tax rate tops U.S., but pain worse in some areas

By LyLena Estabine

09/08/2025

Illinois' high property taxes hurt the economy, particularly in communities already struggling. When government overtaxes, residents and businesses flee – leaving those remaining with a bigger tax bill.

Southwestern Illinois taxpayers hand airport $160M to keep it open

By Brad Weisenstein

09/05/2025

MidAmerica St. Louis Airport has been a drain on taxpayers since it opened in 1995, requiring money from other county funds to keep it open. That total jumped last year to $14.83 million, bringing total subsidies since 2002 to $160 million.

No. 2 no more: Illinois property taxes rank highest in U.S.

By Charlotte Rotkis

07/25/2025

Illinois just ranked as having the highest property tax rate in the country. Property taxes in Illinois are an especially heavy burden without the tradeoff seen in states such as Texas or New Hampshire, where there are either no sales taxes or income taxes.

TAGS: property taxes

Housing won’t be affordable until Illinois starts building more units

By LyLena Estabine

05/21/2025

Illinois municipal leaders didn’t grant building permits to enough new housing in 2024. Low numbers and lack of density indicate Illinois could improve its housing picture with more development.

TAGS: affordable housing, housing market

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

Nine of 15 Illinois metros add jobs in December as employment gains trail nation

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

02/05/2025

New data shows nine of 15 Illinois metropolitan areas added jobs in December as the state gained 8,800 jobs. Ten metro areas reported higher unemployment than the national average.

Only 6 of 15 Illinois metro areas gained jobs in October

By Patrick Andriesen

12/04/2024

New data shows only six of 15 Illinois metropolitan areas added jobs in October as the state shed 2,400 jobs. Twelve metro areas reported higher unemployment than the national average.

TAGS: jobs

Some Montgomery County residents see 1,400% property tax hike

By Dylan Sharkey

11/22/2024

Residents in Central Illinois are feeling sticker shock from exponential property tax growth. One woman’s $756 property tax bill is skyrocketing to $10,000 in one year.

TAGS: Montgomery County, property taxes

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.

St. Louis

More than half of Illinois counties suffer outmigration

Illinois property tax rate tops U.S., but pain worse in some areas

Southwestern Illinois taxpayers hand airport $160M to keep it open

No. 2 no more: Illinois property taxes rank highest in U.S.

Housing won’t be affordable until Illinois starts building more units

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

Nine of 15 Illinois metros add jobs in December as employment gains trail nation

Only 6 of 15 Illinois metro areas gained jobs in October

Some Montgomery County residents see 1,400% property tax hike

Unemployment high in 13 of 15 Illinois metro job markets

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