Illinois home price growth slowest in nation last year
Illinois home price growth slowest in nation last year
Home price appreciation in Illinois was the slowest in the U.S. between the third quarter of 2018 and the third quarter of 2019, federal data showed.
By Bryce Hill
State of the state: Pritzker saw worst first-year jobs numbers since Blagojevich
State of the state: Pritzker saw worst first-year jobs numbers since Blagojevich
Illinois job creation lagged the national median in nearly every sector.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Food truck, mobile boutique regulations loosened by Chicago City Council
Food truck, mobile boutique regulations loosened by Chicago City Council
The new ordinance backed by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot allows food trucks and other mobile entrepreneurs to operate with more freedom on city streets.
Chicago area up 241K jobs, rest of Illinois down 41K jobs from before recession
Chicago area up 241K jobs, rest of Illinois down 41K jobs from before recession
Illinois’ uneven recovery reflects national trends, but also raises important questions about the state’s economic future ahead of a key tax hike vote.
By Austin Berg
Indiana has seen more single-family homes than Illinois for 10 years in a row
Indiana has seen more single-family homes than Illinois for 10 years in a row
Indiana has around half the population of Illinois. But its building new homes at a rate more than 60% higher.
By Austin Berg
Illinois personal income growth 2nd lowest in U.S. since Great Recession
Illinois personal income growth 2nd lowest in U.S. since Great Recession
Only Mississippi has fared worse than Illinois in personal income growth since the Great Recession hit at the end of 2007. Analysis shows state income taxes matter.
By Bryce Hill
Lightfoot pushes Chicago city council to loosen food truck restrictions
Lightfoot pushes Chicago city council to loosen food truck restrictions
Mayor Lori Lightfoot is sponsoring a city ordinance allowing food trucks and other mobile entrepreneurs to operate with more freedom on Chicago’s streets.
Indiana is building far more single-family homes than Illinois
Indiana is building far more single-family homes than Illinois
The historic change comes as skyrocketing property tax bills eat into Illinois homeowners’ bottom line.
By Austin Berg
Illinois saw nation’s worst population loss during the decade
Illinois saw nation’s worst population loss during the decade
Illinois suffered its sixth consecutive year of population decline in 2019, driven entirely by residents leaving for other states.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Up to 140,000 able-bodied Illinoisans may need jobs to get food stamps in 2020
Up to 140,000 able-bodied Illinoisans may need jobs to get food stamps in 2020
Just Cook County food stamp recipients were facing work requirements Jan. 1 if they were under age 50, able-bodied and had no dependents. Now the rules will apply throughout Illinois starting April 1.
By Vincent Caruso
A decade after recession, Illinois’ construction industry is ice cold
A decade after recession, Illinois’ construction industry is ice cold
Why is Illinois construction so weak? As it turns out, big government programs can’t paper over weak fundamentals.
By Austin Berg
As nation celebrates small businesses, Illinois considers taxing them more
As nation celebrates small businesses, Illinois considers taxing them more
Most new jobs in Illinois are created by small businesses, yet state leaders are asking voters to hurt them by raising taxes on these employment dynamos.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
More Illinoisans on food stamps this Thanksgiving, 50K recipients will soon need jobs
More Illinoisans on food stamps this Thanksgiving, 50K recipients will soon need jobs
This Thanksgiving, about 17,500 more Illinoisans will be using food stamps. By New Year’s, about 50,000 Cook County recipients must find jobs or lose benefits.
Mecki Kosin
Mecki Kosin
“[I moved to Illinois] from Germany in 1972. I came with my husband. “He went to school here after the army and got training as an HVAC person. When I came over here, I found work in a travel agency for two years and then was pregnant and stayed home until my children were in...