Pritzker scorecard: Illinois’ governor failing on economy, taxes, education

By Bryce Hill

08/15/2024

Real-world outcomes for Illinoisans have dropped since Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office. The nation’s Democrats need to see where he’s taken Illinois before following his lead.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois 3rd worst in U.S. for new construction

By Benjamin O'Donnell

07/30/2024

Illinois’ rate of new housing is the third lowest of any state, driving up prices for residents. Fixing that would make housing more affordable and help Illinoisans stay.

TAGS: construction, housing

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...

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

By John Tillman

07/04/2024

Fourth of July? No. We should always call it Independence Day to remember what we celebrate and what it means.

TAGS: freedom, Illinois, Independence Day

Literacy in Illinois: Low third-grade reading proficiency warns of trouble ahead

By Hannah Schmid

05/30/2024

Third grade marks a critical reading milestone: if students struggle then, they will face greater problems during the rest of their educations. State data shows 7 of 10 Illinois third graders can’t read at grade level, meaning there’s trouble awaiting most Illinois students.

TAGS: public schools

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.

Illinois sales taxes highest in Midwest

By Bryce Hill

02/14/2024

Combined state and average local sales tax rate tallies 8.85% in Illinois for 2024. That’s the highest in the Midwest and seventh highest in the nation.

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.

5 jobs Illinois imposes heaviest licensing burdens on

By Joe Tabor

12/04/2023

Employment is the clearest path out of poverty, but these five low-income professions face more occupational licensing burdens than others in Illinois.

Illinois’ excessive job licensing keeps Chicagoans in poverty

By Joe Tabor

12/01/2023

Occupational licensing is more burdensome in Illinois than in neighboring states for many professions. Those barriers are unreasonably keeping poor Illinoisans and Chicagoans from finding work.

TAGS: occupational licensing

Wisconsin

Pritzker scorecard: Illinois’ governor failing on economy, taxes, education

Illinois 3rd worst in U.S. for new construction

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

Literacy in Illinois: Low third-grade reading proficiency warns of trouble ahead

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

Illinois sales taxes highest in Midwest

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

5 jobs Illinois imposes heaviest licensing burdens on

Illinois’ excessive job licensing keeps Chicagoans in poverty

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