Only 1 in 6 primary races offer voters choice

By Lilly Rossi

03/13/2026

State residents decide Tuesday who will be on the general election ballot in November.

Voters had no choice in nearly 9-in-10 primary elections

By Patrick Andriesen

03/02/2026

Illinois voting data shows voters had no choice of candidate in nearly 9-in-10 Democratic and Republican primaries for state and federal office in 2024.

Illinois has 8th–largest racial wealth gap in the nation

By Josh Bandoch

02/11/2026

Illinois in the top ten for largest racial wealth gaps. Disparities in income, education and poverty drive the state’s racial wealth gap.

Illinois loses 1,700 jobs in 2025 while nation adds 584,000

By Josh Bandoch, Jon Josko

01/30/2026

Illinois’ unemployment continued a long-term trend of remaining higher than the national rate as 2025 ends with lost jobs as the nation gained.

Census: 95% of Illinoisans moving out head to lower-tax states

By Bryce Hill

01/22/2026

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

TAGS: outmigration, taxes

Gassing up in Illinois pricey during record holiday travel

By Jerry Barmore

12/18/2025

AAA estimates 5.7 million Illinoisans will travel this holiday season. Most will be driving, forced to pay the nation’s No. 2 gas taxes.

TAGS: gas tax

Illinois job growth less than half of Midwest’s in past year

By Josh Bandoch, Jon Josko

12/17/2025

 The information sector remains a bright spot in an otherwise challenging Illinois job market, but unemployment has pulled even with the national rate.

Record Illinois Thanksgiving traffic paying record gas taxes

By Jerry Barmore

11/24/2025

Thanksgiving travel will set a record in Illinois and in the U.S. Illinois drivers will pay the nation’s second-highest gas taxes, thanks to Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

American Federation of Teachers place politics, leader priorities over members

By Mailee Smith

11/12/2025

Union accounting shows just 36% of its spending was on representing teachers in 2025, while it spent more than $41 million on politics.

TAGS: AFT: American Federation of Teachers

Illinois punishes independents, meaning just 1 got on 2024 ballot

By Patrick Andriesen

11/09/2025

Illinois puts lots of restrictions on independent candidates. Just one got on the 2024 ballot in 155 races.

Wisconsin

Only 1 in 6 primary races offer voters choice

Voters had no choice in nearly 9-in-10 primary elections

Illinois has 8th–largest racial wealth gap in the nation

Illinois loses 1,700 jobs in 2025 while nation adds 584,000

Census: 95% of Illinoisans moving out head to lower-tax states

Gassing up in Illinois pricey during record holiday travel

Illinois job growth less than half of Midwest’s in past year

Record Illinois Thanksgiving traffic paying record gas taxes

American Federation of Teachers place politics, leader priorities over members

Illinois punishes independents, meaning just 1 got on 2024 ballot

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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