10 Illinois metro areas gain jobs, only 1 recovers from pandemic

By Bryce Hill

08/02/2022

Only Bloomington has recouped early 2020 job losses, which is bad news for Illinois’ lagging economy as recession fears increase.

TAGS: Bloomington, COVID-19, economic recovery, jobs, unemployment

Illinois still missing 1 in 7 jobs lost during pandemic

By Bryce Hill

08/01/2022

With the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest and 117,000 jobs still missing, Illinois’ labor market is among the least recovered in the region.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economic recovery, employment, job creation, jobs

Illinois leads the nation in foreclosures in 2022

By Bryce Hill

07/29/2022

Illinois homeowners are most likely in the nation to be in foreclosure. The looming $2,100 property tax hike from Amendment 1 would make housing even more unaffordable.

TAGS: Amendment 1, foreclosure, housing market, Illinois

Pritzker gives himself emergency COVID powers for 32nd time

By Dylan Sharkey

07/25/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared Illinois a disaster zone for the 32nd time. When this declaration ends, he will have given himself emergency powers for 895 days – more than two-thirds of his term.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency powers, JB Pritzker

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

By John Tillman

07/04/2022

We too often call it the “Fourth of July” and lose sight of its true meaning – independence. Independence from tyranny and the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness.

Taxpayers funded 84% of public employee pensions in 2020

By Patrick Andriesen

07/02/2022

Taxpayer contributions accounted for 56% of the money that flowed into Illinois’ pension funds in 2000. Two decades later, residents funded 84% of public employees’ retirements, yet pension debt is still growing.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, municipal pensions, pension reform, pensions, Springfield

High Illinois gas taxes drive residents across state line

05/27/2022

For Illinois border resident Brett Retherford and his neighbors, high Illinois fuel taxes drive them to buy their gasoline in Iowa. Illinois politicians’ heavy demands lose them hoped-for taxes when drivers have a choice.

TAGS: gas tax, Illinois

IRS data confirms Illinois is losing residents, wealth flight at record pace

By Bryce Hill

05/26/2022

Illinois lost more than 100,000 residents and $8.5 billion on net in adjusted gross income to other states from 2019-2020, according to new federal tax return data. Those leaving earned $31K more than those coming in.

TAGS: Illinois, IRS: Internal Revenue Service, outmigration, population

Neighbor states pursue real tax reform as Pritzker offers election-year gimmicks

By Justin Carlson

05/03/2022

While Illinois settles for Pritzker’s temporary relief that mostly expires after the November election, its neighbor states are making long-term changes to help grow their economies.

TAGS: Illinois, Midwest, taxes

After 2 years, it’s time to limit Pritzker’s emergency powers

By Joe Tabor

03/09/2022

March 12 marks two years of life under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s emergency powers. It is time lawmakers had a say in how long those powers last.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency powers, JB Pritzker

Wisconsin

10 Illinois metro areas gain jobs, only 1 recovers from pandemic

Illinois still missing 1 in 7 jobs lost during pandemic

Illinois leads the nation in foreclosures in 2022

Pritzker gives himself emergency COVID powers for 32nd time

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

Taxpayers funded 84% of public employee pensions in 2020

High Illinois gas taxes drive residents across state line

IRS data confirms Illinois is losing residents, wealth flight at record pace

Neighbor states pursue real tax reform as Pritzker offers election-year gimmicks

After 2 years, it’s time to limit Pritzker’s emergency powers

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