Illinois’ rural counties shrink fastest in 2023

By Bryce Hill

03/18/2024

While Cook County experienced the largest decline, less-populous Illinois counties were losing people at the fastest rate last year.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Every Illinois metro area lost people in 2023; Chicago 3rd worst in nation

By Bryce Hill

03/15/2024

Illinois’ population decline crisis has now spread to every major metropolitan area in the state. Chicago continued losing residents in 2023.

Cook County 2nd-worst in U.S. as 87 of 102 Illinois counties lose population

By Bryce Hill

03/14/2024

Illinois’ population decline crisis continues to affect virtually all counties despite fewer losses in 2023. Cook County saw nation’s second-highest number of residents moving out.

6 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, just 6 add jobs in January

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

03/11/2024

Six of the 13 Illinois metro areas still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic. Six metros added jobs from December 2023 to January 2024, led by the Champaign-Urbana area.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Illinois’ unemployment rate ranks 4th worst in the nation

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

03/11/2024

Illinois’ unemployment rate ranked fourth worst in the nation in January 2024 after a decline in the number of jobs statewide during the past 12 months. Illinois continues to lag the nation and all its neighbors in job growth.

2024 State of the State: Federal rescue is over, so Illinois needs caution

By Bryce Hill

02/20/2024

The pandemic had an upside for Illinois state finances – infusing federal dollars as state revenues exceeded projections. Now federal aid is gone. Illinoisans’ ongoing struggles warrant caution, reform in the state’s fiscal year 2025 budget.

Underachiever: Illinois lags nation in jobs, but growth potential is high

By Bryce Hill

02/12/2024

2023 data on Illinois’ labor market gives cause for both concern and hope as state emerges from pandemic job losses.

Chicago’s chronic school absences hit Hispanic students hard

By Hannah Schmid

02/06/2024

Absenteeism rates among Hispanic students in Chicago Public Schools are chronically high. Proficiency in reading and math is low.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Minneapolis’ 4 housing moves can be blueprint for fixing Chicago

By Ravi Mishra

02/05/2024

Chicago’s tight rental market is raising rents and eating larger chunks of residents’ income. But the city can fix that by following Minneapolis’ lead.

2-in-5 Illinois low-income students chronically absent

By Hannah Schmid

02/01/2024

Chronic absenteeism rates among Illinois public school students increased after the pandemic-era school closures. Rates are even higher among low-income students, limiting their futures.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

United States Census Bureau

Illinois’ rural counties shrink fastest in 2023

Every Illinois metro area lost people in 2023; Chicago 3rd worst in nation

Cook County 2nd-worst in U.S. as 87 of 102 Illinois counties lose population

6 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, just 6 add jobs in January

Illinois’ unemployment rate ranks 4th worst in the nation

2024 State of the State: Federal rescue is over, so Illinois needs caution

Underachiever: Illinois lags nation in jobs, but growth potential is high

Chicago’s chronic school absences hit Hispanic students hard

Minneapolis’ 4 housing moves can be blueprint for fixing Chicago

2-in-5 Illinois low-income students chronically absent

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