Opportunity stalls in Illinois as the state lags other Midwestern states on four key indicators of social mobility. The state trails the rest of the region on entrepreneurship, economic growth, institutions and the rule of law.

Illinois ranks 44th in the country on entrepreneurship and economic growth, which stops people from getting ahead.

Illinois lags both the nation and the Midwest on key indicators of social mobility. The state scores poorly on entrepreneurship, economic growth, institutions and the rule of law.

Published Jan. 28, 2025 Illinois Policy Institute Center for Poverty Solutions, in partnership with the Archbridge Institute By Joshua Bandoch, Ph.D., head of policy, Illinois Policy Institute and Justin Callais, Ph.D., chief economist, Archbridge Institute EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A low-income person’s ability to move up in society is worse in Illinois than in any other Midwestern...