Here’s why Moody’s is warning of an Illinois death spiral

By Michael Lucci

01/17/2017

Illinois’ weak economic growth and population loss may signal the beginning of a financial death spiral.

TAGS: Midwest, Moody's Investor Service, outmigration, population

Madigan’s economic agenda is not aggressive and it’s not reform

By Michael Lucci

01/12/2017

The newly re-elected House speaker is pushing a new tax on businesses, an increase to the minimum wage and more spending, while doing nothing to address salient problems such as workers’ compensation and pension debt.

TAGS: budget, Mike Madigan

Illinois’ 2015-2016 out-migration problem is much more dire than in other Midwestern states

By Michael Lucci

01/11/2017

Half of Midwest out-migration losses are coming from Illinois, making it the only shrinking state in the region.

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

Illinois Senate budget plan includes $5 billion in tax hikes, $7 billion in borrowing

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

01/10/2017

The new budget plan coming out of the Illinois Senate does little to nothing to reform the state’s reckless spending and financial mismanagement, but does plenty to hurt state taxpayers.

TAGS: budget, Christine Radogno, John Cullerton

Illinois lost 150,000 university students from 2000-2014

By Madelyn Harwood

01/05/2017

Misplaced priorities in education funding have driven students out of the state and skyrocketed tuition costs.

TAGS: higher education, outmigration, pensions, U.S. Census Bureau

Our regrettable shrinking state

By Austin Berg

12/30/2016

The U.S. Census Bureau released new migration data Dec. 20, and it’s frightening. Illinois has a massive people problem. From July 2015 to July 2016, the state’s population declined by more than 37,000 people. That’s the worst population loss in the nation, and will likely mean the loss of a seat in the U.S. House...

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

2 million Illinoisans struggle to put food on their tables

By Madelyn Harwood

12/25/2016

Recent data from the Illinois Department of Human Services show nearly 2 million Illinois residents need government assistance to put food on the table this holiday season, as the state continues to hemorrhage manufacturing jobs and other blue-collar opportunities. Each year’s end is a time for reflection.

TAGS: food stamps, jobs, SNAP

Illinois losing 1 resident every 4.6 minutes, could fall behind Pennsylvania in population

By Michael Lucci

12/20/2016

Illinois has record loss of 114,000 residents to other states in 2016 as population shrinks by 37,500.

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

How Illinois can end its Medicaid nightmare

12/15/2016

After hundreds of waiting list deaths and an unsustainable enrollment explosion, Illinois policymakers must act swiftly to contain this growing nightmare. Thankfully, they have options.

TAGS: health care, Medicaid

AFSCME turns on the Illinois Labor Relations Board

By Mailee Smith

12/14/2016

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, desperate to avoid the implementation of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s contract offer, filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Labor Relations Board, claiming the board violated the Open Meetings Act in reaching its decision that AFSCME and the state are at impasse in contract negotiations. The labor board met Dec. 13 and reissued the decision it announced at its meeting Nov. 15 and in writing Dec. 5 – that the state and AFSCME are at impasse.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, Illinois Labor Relations Board

United States Census Bureau

Here’s why Moody’s is warning of an Illinois death spiral

Madigan’s economic agenda is not aggressive and it’s not reform

Illinois’ 2015-2016 out-migration problem is much more dire than in other Midwestern states

Illinois Senate budget plan includes $5 billion in tax hikes, $7 billion in borrowing

Illinois lost 150,000 university students from 2000-2014

Our regrettable shrinking state

2 million Illinoisans struggle to put food on their tables

Illinois losing 1 resident every 4.6 minutes, could fall behind Pennsylvania in population

How Illinois can end its Medicaid nightmare

AFSCME turns on the Illinois Labor Relations Board

Who Lives Below the Poverty Line in Illinois? Family Structure and Education Mark the Highest Risk

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students