Illinois 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021

By Bryce Hill

01/14/2022

Illinoisans fled at a record pace in 2021. The state lost 122,460 residents on net because of moves to other states.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration, population

Illinois loses more people faster to other states during COVID-19 pandemic

By Bryce Hill

01/05/2022

Illinois, California and New York shrank the most and lost people fastest during the COVID-19 pandemic. Texas and Florida grew the most. Idaho, Utah and Montana grew the fastest.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, outmigration, population

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

By Adam Schuster

08/24/2021

Classrooms First Act would benefit virtually all Illinoisans including teachers, parents and students.

Police union contracts hinder discipline in Illinois’ biggest cities

By Mailee Smith

04/21/2021

Both police reform advocates and law enforcement supporters face the same serious obstacle in Illinois: police union contracts include provisions protecting officers from discipline. Those contracts carry more weight than state law.

Illinois Forward 2022: COVID-19 makes pension reform imperative to protecting taxpayers, services for vulnerable Illinoisans

By Adam Schuster

03/17/2021

Illinois has a chance to fix its state finances, thanks to federal relief. But unless pension growth is brought under control, both retirees and taxpayers will be at risk as debt continues to consume state services.

Illinois sees worst population decline since World War II

By Bryce Hill

12/22/2020

Even subtracting COVID-19 deaths, Illinois still suffered its largest population drop in modern history in the first year of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s fiscal policies, including 20 new tax and fee hikes, as well as his pandemic response.

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

Typical Illinois family will likely see $244 increase in state, local tax burden with ‘fair tax’

By Bryce Hill

10/26/2020

Increased property and sales taxes will likely offset all savings from progressive income tax scheme.

TAGS: fair tax, JB Pritzker, tax burden

Illinois passed a record-breaking income tax hike 3 years ago. Here’s where the money went.

By Adam Schuster

07/05/2020

Income taxes rose 32% for individuals and 33% for corporations in 2017, raising Illinois’ total tax burden to at least sixth highest from 10th highest. More than $1.2 billion went to pensions and debt.

TAGS: fair tax, income tax, JB Pritzker

Blame Illinois exodus on jobs, housing, tax policy

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

06/25/2020

Census data shows who is fleeing Illinoisans and why. Here’s why you should care.

TAGS: jobs, outmigration, population, tax burden

Black, Hispanic women hit hardest after Illinois decreed which jobs were ‘nonessential’

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Jon Josko

06/03/2020

More than 1 in 5 black and Hispanic female workers in Illinois lost their jobs during the first month of the COVID-19 lockdown.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, recession

United States Census Bureau

Illinois 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021

Illinois loses more people faster to other states during COVID-19 pandemic

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

Police union contracts hinder discipline in Illinois’ biggest cities

Illinois Forward 2022: COVID-19 makes pension reform imperative to protecting taxpayers, services for vulnerable Illinoisans

Illinois sees worst population decline since World War II

Typical Illinois family will likely see $244 increase in state, local tax burden with ‘fair tax’

Illinois passed a record-breaking income tax hike 3 years ago. Here’s where the money went.

Blame Illinois exodus on jobs, housing, tax policy

Black, Hispanic women hit hardest after Illinois decreed which jobs were ‘nonessential’

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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