Illinois part of national epidemic, with only 1 in 3 students reading well

By Hannah Schmid

09/19/2024

Student literacy is in trouble nationally, which is why Illinois is one of 35 states where just 1 in 3 – or fewer – of its fourth graders met reading standards in 2022.

Black and Hispanic students thrive in school model Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate

By Hannah Schmid

08/27/2024

Black and Hispanic students are around six times more likely to be proficient in reading at selective enrollment high schools compared to traditional public schools in Chicago. But the Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate these schools that are a lifeline to the city’s minority students.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois unemployment rate in July hits 2nd highest in U.S.

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

08/16/2024

July unemployment hit 5.2% in Illinois, ranking second worst in the nation. It equated to 341,630 workers looking for a job.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, taxes, unemployment

Pritzker scorecard: Illinois’ governor failing on economy, taxes, education

By Bryce Hill

08/15/2024

Real-world outcomes for Illinoisans have dropped since Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office. The nation’s Democrats need to see where he’s taken Illinois before following his lead.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

3-in-10 Chicago public school teachers send their children to private school

By Hannah Schmid, Jon Josko

08/14/2024

Nearly 31% of public school teachers in Chicago send at least one of their kids to private school. What does that say about the quality of a public-school education in Chicago?

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago population hits lowest point since 1920

By Bryce Hill

08/09/2024

At the 1920 Census, Chicago’s population was 2.7 million, up over 516,000 in a decade. More than 100 years later, Chicago’s population is 2.66 million, a loss of 128,034 from nine straight years of decline.

TAGS: outmigration, population

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

United States Census Bureau

Illinois part of national epidemic, with only 1 in 3 students reading well

Black and Hispanic students thrive in school model Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate

Illinois unemployment rate in July hits 2nd highest in U.S.

Pritzker scorecard: Illinois’ governor failing on economy, taxes, education

3-in-10 Chicago public school teachers send their children to private school

Chicago population hits lowest point since 1920

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

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