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

Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for 3rd-worst in U.S.

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

01/23/2024

Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for third-worst in the U.S. in December 2023, despite job gains across most industries since last year. Illinois continues to lag the nation and nearly all its neighbors in job growth.

Vallas: Fix Chicago’s affordable housing needs without tax hikes

By Paul Vallas

01/09/2024

They call it a “mansion tax” that can “Bring Chicago Home,” but those are false labels that hide a tax threat to the city’s economic health. There are better ways to create affordable housing and help homeless Chicagoans.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

46,400 extra Illinoisans found, but 364,443 others moved away

By Bryce Hill

01/08/2024

Illinois’ base population total is larger than previously predicted after the U.S. Census discovered it had missed people in group quarters. But the change shouldn’t lull politicians into thinking taxes and other policies didn’t drive 364,443 people away.

TAGS: outmigration, population

United Van Lines: Illinois 2nd in nation for residents leaving

By Dylan Sharkey

01/02/2024

Illinois saw the second-highest rate of residents moving out in the nation based on a survey by United Van Lines. Illinois has experienced 10 straight years of population loss.

Illinois population drop, departures among worst in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

12/29/2023

Illinois lost 83,839 residents who moved to other states, one of the highest rates in the U.S. and driving a 10th consecutive year of population decline. It ranks near the bottom on multiple other population measures, too.

All neighbor states grow as Illinois population shrinks by 32,826

By Bryce Hill

12/28/2023

Illinoisans moving to other states was the sole reason for population decline in 2023. It’s not a Midwestern thing, because our neighbors are growing.

United States Census Bureau

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

Common-ground solutions to empower Chicago’s poor: A model for America’s cities

Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for 3rd-worst in U.S.

Vallas: Fix Chicago’s affordable housing needs without tax hikes

46,400 extra Illinoisans found, but 364,443 others moved away

United Van Lines: Illinois 2nd in nation for residents leaving

Illinois population drop, departures among worst in U.S.

All neighbor states grow as Illinois population shrinks by 32,826

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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