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.

‘Homeschool Act’ is about limiting school choice

By Mailee Smith

05/05/2025

Teachers unions have given millions to the state lawmakers targeting homeschoolers in their most recent effort to stifle educational freedom in Illinois.

TAGS: homeschool

Illinois’ emergency reserves lowest in nation

By Bryce Hill

03/06/2025

Illinois is dead last of the 50 states in its ability to handle a financial crisis. It couldn’t last a month. The rainy-day fund that should be its primary reserve, and that Gov. J.B. Pritzker lauded himself for refilling, could barely cover two weeks.

Illinois part of national epidemic, with only 1 in 3 students reading well

By Hannah Schmid

09/19/2024

Student literacy is in trouble nationally, which is why Illinois is one of 35 states where just 1 in 3 – or fewer – of its fourth graders met reading standards in 2022.

IRS: Illinois loses $9.9B in income as 87,311 residents move out in 2022

By Bryce Hill

07/01/2024

New data shows $9.9 billion flowed from Illinois to other states because people moved out in 2022. Most of those leaving earned $100,000 or more.

TAGS: population

More states give parents control over education funds, so why not Illinois?

By Hannah Schmid

04/30/2024

There are 18 private school choice programs called “education savings accounts” in 16 states and growing. But Illinois leaders refuse to let parents decide how their taxes are used to educate their children.

TAGS: education spending

Illinois among worst-prepared in nation to weather next recession

By Justin Carlson

01/02/2023

Illinois lawmakers and Gov. J.B. Pritzker reached a deal to pay off $1.8 billion borrowed from the federal government for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a positive step, but the state remains ill-prepared for the next economic shock.

TAGS: Illinois, unemployment

Illinois’ leisure, hospitality industry suffering 3rd-worst recovery in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

03/30/2022

Illinois is still missing 77,000 jobs from its restaurants, bars, hotels and other leisure industries since COVID-19 shutdowns. That Illinois jobs sector has recovered only 72% of what it lost in the pandemic – one of the nation’s worst recoveries.

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

Illinois drivers pay $1,119 extra a year thanks to bad roads, bridges

By Patrick Andriesen

11/24/2021

Illinois ranked 14th worst in the nation for road infrastructure with 20% of state roadways non-acceptable and 12% of bridges in poor condition by federal standards. It was near last in spending on repairs.

TAGS: government spending, Illinois, roads

Illinois ranked “least tax friendly” state for middle-class families

By Patrick Andriesen

11/23/2021

Kiplinger report finds Illinois’ sales, income and property taxes on middle-income families rank among the highest in the nation, making prospective residents think twice about moving to the state.

TAGS: Illinois, middle class, taxes

Wyoming

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

‘Homeschool Act’ is about limiting school choice

Illinois’ emergency reserves lowest in nation

Illinois part of national epidemic, with only 1 in 3 students reading well

IRS: Illinois loses $9.9B in income as 87,311 residents move out in 2022

More states give parents control over education funds, so why not Illinois?

Illinois among worst-prepared in nation to weather next recession

Illinois’ leisure, hospitality industry suffering 3rd-worst recovery in U.S.

Illinois drivers pay $1,119 extra a year thanks to bad roads, bridges

Illinois ranked “least tax friendly” state for middle-class families

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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