Decatur shrinks as Illinois manufacturing declines
Decatur shrinks as Illinois manufacturing declines
Macon County is one of the 89 counties out of Illinois’ 102 that are losing residents.
The shrinking Metro East
The shrinking Metro East
St. Clair and Madison counties saw combined population losses of more than 1,600 people due to out-migration to other states.
Alcohol bill aimed to help special interests, further status quo
Alcohol bill aimed to help special interests, further status quo
An amendment to Illinois’ longstanding Liquor Control Act creates curious guidelines that seem likely to favor a few specific Chicago businesses, while keeping the status quo intact for the rest.
Springfield population drops by nearly 1,000 residents from 2015-2016
Springfield population drops by nearly 1,000 residents from 2015-2016
Illinoisans from all areas are leaving the state in droves, and Springfield lawmakers need look no farther than the state capital to see the proof.
Out-migration caused Lake County population to shrink by nearly 400 from 2015-2016
Out-migration caused Lake County population to shrink by nearly 400 from 2015-2016
Newly released census data show more than 5,100 Lake County residents moved to other U.S. locales last year, causing the county’s population to shrink.
DuPage County population shrank by nearly 2,500 from 2015-2016
DuPage County population shrank by nearly 2,500 from 2015-2016
Newly released census data show more than 9,100 DuPage County residents moved to other U.S. locales last year, causing the county’s population to shrink.
Illinois employers announce more than 2,500 mass layoffs
Illinois employers announce more than 2,500 mass layoffs
Numbers from the March WARN report show that employers in Illinois across various industries laid off 2,573 workers; 267 of the layoffs were in manufacturing.
Illinois’ employment drought and the oases next door
Illinois’ employment drought and the oases next door
There are 170,000 fewer people working in Illinois since before the Great Recession.
Workers’ compensation estimated to cost Illinois taxpayers nearly $1 billion per year
Workers’ compensation estimated to cost Illinois taxpayers nearly $1 billion per year
Workers’ compensation is a significant cost to Illinois taxpayers and drains scarce tax dollars from government coffers. A previous report in this series estimated the direct cost of workers’ compensation to state, county and municipal governments is $402 million in worker payouts per year.1 Building upon those findings, this report estimates that the total cost of workers’ compensation to...
Wisconsin and Indiana hit new all-time highs for number of people working
Wisconsin and Indiana hit new all-time highs for number of people working
In the last decade, Illinois’ economy and the economies of neighboring states have gone in opposite directions, with more people now working in Wisconsin and Indiana combined.
Caterpillar to shutter Aurora plant, cut 800 jobs
Caterpillar to shutter Aurora plant, cut 800 jobs
The company’s announcement affects 800 hourly employees, though 1,200 workers will remain in Aurora. In January, Caterpillar announced plans to relocate its global headquarters to Chicago and out of its longtime hub in Peoria.
SB 1288 could chip away at Illinois’ crony liquor laws
SB 1288 could chip away at Illinois’ crony liquor laws
A bill in the Illinois Senate would provide certain alcohol producers some freedom within the state’s three-tier system – which has been maintained through measures limiting competition and benefiting the politically connected.
Prestige Metals to move from Illinois to Wisconsin
Prestige Metals to move from Illinois to Wisconsin
The small sheet metal fabricator will move from its current facility in Antioch, Ill., to an 8-acre location in Bristol, Wis.
Illinois has hurt its economy by piling on taxes since the Great Recession
Illinois has hurt its economy by piling on taxes since the Great Recession
State and local tax hikes in Illinois have hurt economic growth, lowered the standard of living, and contributed to out-migration.