Illinois’ rural counties shrink fastest in 2023
Illinois’ rural counties shrink fastest in 2023
While Cook County experienced the largest decline, less-populous Illinois counties were losing people at the fastest rate last year.
Every Illinois metro area lost people in 2023; Chicago 3rd worst in nation
Every Illinois metro area lost people in 2023; Chicago 3rd worst in nation
Illinois’ population decline crisis has now spread to every major metropolitan area in the state. Chicago continued losing residents in 2023.
Cook County 2nd-worst in U.S. as 87 of 102 Illinois counties lose population
Cook County 2nd-worst in U.S. as 87 of 102 Illinois counties lose population
Illinois’ population decline crisis continues to affect virtually all counties despite fewer losses in 2023. Cook County saw nation’s second-highest number of residents moving out.
6 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, just 6 add jobs in January
6 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, just 6 add jobs in January
Six of the 13 Illinois metro areas still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic. Six metros added jobs from December 2023 to January 2024, led by the Champaign-Urbana area.
Illinois’ unemployment rate ranks 4th worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate ranks 4th worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate ranked fourth worst in the nation in January 2024 after a decline in the number of jobs statewide during the past 12 months. Illinois continues to lag the nation and all its neighbors in job growth.
Illinois ranks as worst state for low-income earners
Illinois ranks as worst state for low-income earners
A WalletHub study found low-income Illinoisans pay 14% of their annual salary to sales, property and incomes taxes – more than anywhere else in the nation. The state’s middle- and high-income earners weren’t much better off.
The Policy Shop: How much potential does Illinois have?
The Policy Shop: How much potential does Illinois have?
This episode of The Policy Shop is by Director of Policy Research Joseph Tabor. During the social turmoil of the 1960s, a happy, dancing pop group emerged to emphasize unity and harmony: Up With People. “If more people were for people, All people ev’rywhere, There’d be a lot less people to worry about, And a...
364,443 Illinoisans fell out of love with Illinois, moved away since 2020
364,443 Illinoisans fell out of love with Illinois, moved away since 2020
Illinois will celebrate this Valentine’s Day knowing it broke up with 364,443 people since 2020. While they moved out for now, lower taxes could win them back.
Underachiever: Illinois lags nation in jobs, but growth potential is high
Underachiever: Illinois lags nation in jobs, but growth potential is high
2023 data on Illinois’ labor market gives cause for both concern and hope as state emerges from pandemic job losses.
Our perspective: Chicago’s commercial real estate market still hasn’t recovered from pandemic
Our perspective: Chicago’s commercial real estate market still hasn’t recovered from pandemic
Editor’s note: There is a lot of information coming at you every day, but not a lot of context. The Illinois Policy Institute is launching "Our Perspective" to give you our take on topics of the day so you can better shape your take on them.
Upward mobility tougher in Illinois than in rest of Midwest, most of U.S.
Upward mobility tougher in Illinois than in rest of Midwest, most of U.S.
Illinois ranked 40th overall and the worst in the Midwest for social mobility, a new report found.
Samantha Danielle
Samantha Danielle
“Alcohol licensing was easy at the federal level. I am an importer and wholesale distributor, but then you have to get it at the state level because prohibition and bootlegging made it a state-by-state decision on how to sell alcohol.”
Minneapolis’ 4 housing moves can be blueprint for fixing Chicago
Minneapolis’ 4 housing moves can be blueprint for fixing Chicago
Chicago’s tight rental market is raising rents and eating larger chunks of residents’ income. But the city can fix that by following Minneapolis’ lead.
5 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, most add jobs in December
5 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, most add jobs in December
Seven of 13 Illinois metro areas added jobs from November to December 2023, led by the St. Louis area. Five metros still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic.