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...

Nearly all Illinois communities smaller since 2020; Chicago loses nearly 30K

By Bryce Hill

05/15/2025

Since 2020, 84% of Illinois communities have lost population. Small towns were hit hardest by population declines in 2024, while Chicago’s migrant crisis helped offset people choosing to leave.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Survey: Illinoisans to pay over 10% of incomes to state, local taxes in 2025

By Patrick Andriesen

04/01/2025

Illinois will impose the nation’s seventh-highest state and local tax burden on residents in 2025. Taxpayers on average will pay over 10% of their annual income to support government, according to WalletHub.

TAGS: Tax Day

Literacy epidemic hits Illinois as fewer than 1 in 3 students read well

By Hannah Schmid

03/28/2025

Student literacy is in trouble nationally. Illinois is one of 41 states where just 1 in 3 or fewer of its fourth-graders met reading standards in 2024.

TAGS: public schools

Lemont Township residents’ $22 million pension crisis on April 1 ballot

By Bryce Hill

03/21/2025

A local referendum would tell state lawmakers how Lemont Township voters would like to fix $22 million in pension debt for which they are responsible. Pension reform is the surest way to provide property tax relief.

TAGS: Lemont Township

Palos Township’s $83M pension crisis on the ballot

By Bryce Hill

03/21/2025

A local referendum would tell state lawmakers how Palos Township voters would like to fix $83 million in pension debt for which they are responsible. Pension reform is the surest way to provide property tax relief.

TAGS: Palos Township

Chicago area gets over 96K international migrants in 2024; 238K since 2020

By Bryce Hill

03/12/2025

Chicagoland’s population has been boosted by international migrants in recent years. But 347,000 residents left for other states since April 2020.

TAGS: outmigration, population, property taxes

64 of Illinois’ 102 counties see populations drop in 2024

By Bryce Hill

03/12/2025

While Illinois’ total population grew slightly last year, many areas of the state experienced population decline. People moved out of state from half the counties.

TAGS: outmigration, population, taxes

United States Census Bureau

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

Nearly all Illinois communities smaller since 2020; Chicago loses nearly 30K

Survey: Illinoisans to pay over 10% of incomes to state, local taxes in 2025

Literacy epidemic hits Illinois as fewer than 1 in 3 students read well

Lemont Township residents’ $22 million pension crisis on April 1 ballot

Palos Township’s $83M pension crisis on the ballot

Chicago area gets over 96K international migrants in 2024; 238K since 2020

64 of Illinois’ 102 counties see populations drop in 2024

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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