Of the nation’s 10 largest metro areas, only Chicago saw population loss in 2017

By Austin Berg

03/22/2018

The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area witnessed population decline over the year, as did nearly every other metro area in Illinois.

TAGS: Chicago, outmigration, population, U.S. Census Bureau

Metro East median property taxes rank in the top 50 highest in Illinois

By Eric Kohn

05/11/2017

High property taxes in the Metro East region are fueling out-migration from the area.

TAGS: Metro East, outmigration, population, property taxes

Belleville District 201 board approves 5 administrator salaries over $100k

By Eric Kohn

04/13/2017

Though the median household income in Belleville is only $43,318, Belleville Township School District 201’s top administrators are making six-figure salaries.

TAGS: Andrea Gannon, Belleville, Belleville Township School District 201, Brian Mentzer, education, Jeff Dosier, Melissa Taylor, Metro East, property taxes, Rich Mertens, St. Clair County, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

The shrinking Metro East

By Brendan Bakala

04/10/2017

St. Clair and Madison counties saw combined population losses of more than 1,600 people due to out-migration to other states.

TAGS: Madison County, Metro East, Missouri, Monroe County, outmigration, population, St. Clair County, St. Louis, U.S. Census Bureau

Sugary drink tax would be a bitter pill to swallow

By Austin Berg

03/09/2017

Illinois holds more than $66 million worth of stocks and bonds in PepsiCo, Coca Cola and Dr. Pepper Snapple alone.

TAGS: budget, grand bargain, soda tax, taxes

Moody’s: Chicago laggard in economic growth

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/12/2015

A new report by Moody’s Investors Service details Chicago’s weak economic growth and increasing government-worker pension obligations.

State and local policy solutions can help Granite City keep Steel in town

By Michael Lucci

03/25/2015

Illinois municipalities that are tired of seeing their manufacturing base hollowed out can take action to end the exodus.

TAGS: jobs, right to work

Illinois Corruption Watch, October 2014

By Brian Costin

11/01/2014

In October, we found 52 different stories of potential public corruption in Illinois, including a trio of stories related to the election. An Illinois Policy investigation into emails from a group of Kankakee County superintendents revealed potentially illegal activities to pass a countywide sales-tax hike for school facilities. Documents obtained suggest illegal actions by superintendents...

TAGS: good government, waste

Outside money pours into communities to pass sales-tax hikes

By illinoispolicy

10/29/2014

The public school district in Jacksonville, Illinois, is criticizing fellow Illinoisans for educating residents about a significant sales-tax increase proposal on the ballot – a tax increase that would drive up the cost of gas, clothes, prepared food, electronics and more. School district officials called the Illinois Policy Institute a “Chicago based” group, when we’re...

America’s digital divide: Startups fly, storefronts struggle

By Michael Lucci

09/26/2014

This article was written by Satta Sarmah and featured in Fast Company on September 26, 2014. When 30-year-old Chicago native Sheyla Jarocz talks about how a brick and mortar storefront survives in the city’s North Center neighborhood, it sounds like a lonely mission. “I’ve tried to do promotions with nearby businesses,” said Jarocz, who opened Maash Boutique two years...

TAGS: Chicago, jobs

St. Louis

Of the nation’s 10 largest metro areas, only Chicago saw population loss in 2017

Metro East median property taxes rank in the top 50 highest in Illinois

Belleville District 201 board approves 5 administrator salaries over $100k

The shrinking Metro East

Sugary drink tax would be a bitter pill to swallow

Moody’s: Chicago laggard in economic growth

State and local policy solutions can help Granite City keep Steel in town

Illinois Corruption Watch, October 2014

Outside money pours into communities to pass sales-tax hikes

America’s digital divide: Startups fly, storefronts struggle

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