The Chicago area climbed up two spots as a technology hub, surpassing Silicon Valley. Government can foster that growth.

U.S. Census estimates showed Illinois lost residents to 32 states and Washington, D.C. – virtually all to lower-tax states.

As housing prices continue to soar out of reach for more Americans, an impulse from policy makers across the country has been to attempt to mandate “affordable” prices through legislation. One common idea is rent control, which limits how much landlords can increase rents on residents. A related one is inclusionary zoning, which forces developers...