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 on track to lose another congressional seat

By Lilly Rossi

02/12/2026

Illinois is on pace to lose a seat in Congress based on new census data. International immigration and interstate migration are driving those projections.

44K international migrants offset 40K Illinoisans leaving last year

By Bryce Hill

01/27/2026

Illinois’ population grew by 16,108 in 2025 thanks to an influx of people migrating from other countries. But Illinoisans moving away offset most of that gain.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Census: 95% of Illinoisans moving out head to lower-tax states

By Bryce Hill

01/22/2026

U.S. Census estimates showed Illinois lost residents to 32 states and Washington, D.C. – virtually all to lower-tax states.

TAGS: outmigration, taxes

Small businesses create all Cook County jobs since 2020

By Bryce Hill

11/26/2025

Chicagoans have even more to be thankful for on Small Business Saturday: small businesses created all Cook County’s net new jobs since the pandemic.

Small businesses create virtually all new Illinois jobs

By Bryce Hill

11/26/2025

Small Business Saturday gives Illinoisans another reason to be thankful: these businesses have been the sole job creators since 2020.

Mandating unaffordability: How Chicago’s housing affordability requirements decrease supply and increase costs

By Josh Bandoch, LyLena Estabine

10/01/2025

As housing prices continue to soar out of reach for more Americans, an impulse from policy makers across the country has been to attempt to mandate “affordable” prices through legislation. One common idea is rent control, which limits how much landlords can increase rents on residents. A related one is inclusionary zoning, which forces developers...

Illinois forms businesses at one of lowest rates in Midwest

By Bryce Hill

08/12/2025

Despite leading the region in businesses applying to open, Illinois’ combative business climate results in few business actually starting.

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

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

By Josh Bandoch, Lauren Zuar

06/03/2025

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

United States Census Bureau

More than half of Illinois counties suffer outmigration

Illinois on track to lose another congressional seat

44K international migrants offset 40K Illinoisans leaving last year

Census: 95% of Illinoisans moving out head to lower-tax states

Small businesses create all Cook County jobs since 2020

Small businesses create virtually all new Illinois jobs

Mandating unaffordability: How Chicago’s housing affordability requirements decrease supply and increase costs

Illinois forms businesses at one of lowest rates in Midwest

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

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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