As Chicago’s population shrinks, Houston is set to overtake the Windy City as the third-largest city in America. Illinois’ slumping economy is a major reason for that, but the cities’ different zoning rules show how regulations can promote growth – or stifle it.

In the majority of Illinois’ large cities, the number of people moving to another part of the country is greater than the combined gains from more births than deaths and international immigration.

Millionaires are playing a large role in the broader Chicago exodus.

Census data are sounding a warning signal that Chicago and Illinois policy leaders don’t necessarily want to hear.

By reducing the licensing requirements that make it harder for people to enter many professions, Illinois could give more people access to jobs, bring down the cost of goods and services through increased competition, and attract more workers to the state.

The need for foundational change couldn’t be more evident in the Land of Lincoln.