Illinois unemployment jumps to 5% in June

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

07/24/2024

Illinois unemployment rose to 5% during June, ranking third worst in the U.S. About 328,000 Illinoisans need a job.

How many new businesses does your Illinois county have?

By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg

07/19/2024

New business applications in Illinois are up 47% compared to pre-pandemic numbers in 2019, but what does growth in your county look like?

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

07/09/2024

Published July 9, 2024 America is facing a housing affordability crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 73% of Americans said the average person could not afford a home in their area, and 69% were worried about their children and grandchildren being able to afford a home. That’s unfair. Everyone deserves a good roof over their...

White, Black communities lead Illinois’ population decline; Hispanic, Asian communities growing

By Bryce Hill

06/28/2024

Illinois’ Hispanic population is growing the most while the Asian population growing the fastest.

TAGS: population, U.S. Census Bureau

Illinois tied for third-worst unemployment rate in the U.S.

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

06/25/2024

Illinois' employment growth lags the nation and neighboring states in May.

Vallas: Mayor, supporters see unlimited migration as fix to population loss

By Paul Vallas

06/06/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sees unlimited migration as a solution to population loss. What he should be doing is recognizing crime and a lack of quality school choice is driving out families.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Literacy in Illinois: Low third-grade reading proficiency warns of trouble ahead

By Hannah Schmid

05/30/2024

Third grade marks a critical reading milestone: if students struggle then, they will face greater problems during the rest of their educations. State data shows 7 of 10 Illinois third graders can’t read at grade level, meaning there’s trouble awaiting most Illinois students.

TAGS: public schools

Chicago lags as 8 of 13 Illinois metro areas add jobs in April

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

05/23/2024

Illinois grew jobs in eight of its 13 metropolitan areas during April, but the Chicago area’s sluggish growth and a stubbornly high unemployment rate tempered any gains.

TAGS: jobs, metro areas, unemployment

Illinois’ Black unemployment rate No. 2 in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

05/22/2024

Black workers in Illinois face a tougher job market than peers nationally. Hispanic men, Asians face lower unemployment rates relative to peers in other states.

TAGS: unemployment

Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd-worst in the nation

By Jon Josko, Ravi Mishra

05/17/2024

Illinois’ unemployment rate for April was near the highest in the U.S. Its recovery lags the nation by nearly a full percentage point.

United States Census Bureau

Illinois unemployment jumps to 5% in June

How many new businesses does your Illinois county have?

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

White, Black communities lead Illinois’ population decline; Hispanic, Asian communities growing

Illinois tied for third-worst unemployment rate in the U.S.

Vallas: Mayor, supporters see unlimited migration as fix to population loss

Literacy in Illinois: Low third-grade reading proficiency warns of trouble ahead

Chicago lags as 8 of 13 Illinois metro areas add jobs in April

Illinois’ Black unemployment rate No. 2 in U.S.

Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd-worst in the nation

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