Illinois’ February unemployment rate 5th highest in U.S.

By Ravi Mishra

04/10/2025

Unemployment in Illinois remains stubbornly high. February’s unemployment rate was the fifth highest in the nation at 4.8%.

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

01/28/2025

Published Jan. 28, 2025 Illinois Policy Institute Center for Poverty Solutions, in partnership with the Archbridge Institute By Joshua Bandoch, Ph.D., head of policy, Illinois Policy Institute and Justin Callais, Ph.D., chief economist, Archbridge Institute EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A low-income person’s ability to move up in society is worse in Illinois than in any other Midwestern...

Illinois can boost housing affordability with statewide zoning reform

By Ravi Mishra

09/17/2024

Oregon made statewide changes in its zoning policies to help keep housing prices affordable. Many states have followed its lead. Illinois should, too.

Can noncitizens vote in Illinois? Depends on the election

By Chris Coffey

07/09/2024

The influx of migrants to Chicago and Illinois presents a potential voting bloc ahead of the 2024 election. Some politicians have tried to get them the vote. Others have tried to prevent it.

TAGS: election

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...

Oppressive regulations leave thousands of jobs unfilled

By Larry Han

06/17/2024

The jobs are there. The people to fill them are there. The only thing standing in the way is Illinois’ overreaching state regulations and job licensing.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

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

By Josh Bandoch

01/25/2024

Published Jan. 25, 2024

Illinois Senate Bill would allow noncitizen parents, guardians to vote in school board elections

By Dylan Sharkey

02/10/2023

Illinois lawmakers are considering granting noncitizens the right to vote in school board elections if their children are in the school district. Registering to vote would come with a warning about possible risks under U.S. immigration law.

Illinois already has most extreme labor laws in U.S.

By Mailee Smith, Hannah Schmid

11/04/2022

Illinois law already allows some government union contracts to override state law. Amendment 1 would allow all government union contracts to do so.

TAGS: Amendment 1, labor, unions, workers rights amendment

Vermont is the latest state to reform pensions with union support

By Justin Carlson

05/13/2022

Vermont and other blue states have recent pension reforms including reductions in cost of living adjustments. What makes Illinois different?

TAGS: government unions, pension reform, Vermont

Vermont

Illinois’ February unemployment rate 5th highest in U.S.

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

Illinois can boost housing affordability with statewide zoning reform

Can noncitizens vote in Illinois? Depends on the election

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Oppressive regulations leave thousands of jobs unfilled

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

Illinois Senate Bill would allow noncitizen parents, guardians to vote in school board elections

Illinois already has most extreme labor laws in U.S.

Vermont is the latest state to reform pensions with union support

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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