Orphe Divounguy and Bryce Hill, Illinois Policy Institute News
Black workers suffer most from Illinois' slow recovery from COVID-19
Some parts of Illinois’ job markets are recovering, but not for Black Illinoisans. Many jobs are still missing from before COVID-19, including over one-third of the leisure and hospitality jobs.
Pritzker pressures Biden for tax change worth $2.5 million a year to governor
In a letter to the president, Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined other Democratic governors to urge the removal of the State and Local Tax deduction cap. The move would primarily benefit the wealthy, including Pritzker.
2021 State of the State: Illinois economy weak before COVID-19
Illinois’ weak economic foundations and fiscal mismanagement were preexisting conditions that caused it to suffer a deeper COVID-19 downturn. They will also hurt its recovery.
Illinois’ mortgage delinquency rate highest in Midwest amid largest spike in state's history
Delinquent mortgages nearly doubled to 124,000 amid COVID-19’s soaring unemployment, and inaction by state and local governments.
COVID-19 recession could double Illinois’ delinquent mortgage rate in 2020
Up to 130,000 Illinois homeowners could fall behind on their mortgage payments if state lawmakers fail to provide relief.
Illinois’ economy shrinking by more than $183M per day
COVID-19 and measures to contain the disease have resulted in unemployment that’s over 50% higher than the worst months of the Great Recession.
Illinois personal income tax revenue could fall up to $6.6 billion from COVID-19 lockdown
The severe economic downturn brought on by the coronavirus outbreak and measures taken to contain it could cause state personal income tax revenues to fall by 14.7% to 33.8% this year.
Nearly 1.5M Illinois workers risk layoffs or reduced hours from COVID-19 economic fallout
A quarter of Illinois’ workers are staring down the economic impacts of a global pandemic.
With voters set to decide on progressive income tax, Illinois wealth flight among worst in the nation
New data shows Illinois since 2010 lost up to $32 billion in income from people moving out. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s graduated income tax plan would hike rates on those most likely to leave.
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.
Illinois home values down 21%, property taxes up 9% since 2007
Without serious property tax relief – including pension reform – it is likely fewer will demand planting roots in Illinois.
Illinois ranks 46 out of 50 states in private sector jobs growth
Illinois’ fastest-growing jobs sector in 2018 was government – another sign the state needs pro-growth reforms to keep up with the rest of the country.
State of the state 2019: Past mistakes show path to better future for Illinois
As Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the 101st General Assembly settle into office, they face a daunting task: governing a state with severe fiscal problems, continuing population loss and comparatively lackluster economic growth.
As nation celebrates small businesses, Illinois politicians take them for granted
A history of tax hikes to prop up unsustainable spending makes Illinois a frosty climate for small businesses.
Rest of the nation sees 31 percent faster jobs growth vs. Illinois in 2018
Illinois experienced its sixth consecutive month of jobs growth in July, yet continues to trail the pace of growth in the rest of the nation for 2018.
Jobs data: After 2017 income tax hike, Illinois slows while nation grows
As national jobs growth kept up a steady clip, Illinois saw jobs growth dip after lawmakers passed a historic tax hike.
Illinois February jobs growth driven by surging local government payrolls
While Illinois outperformed the nation in terms of monthly employment growth for the first time since September 2017, Illinois payrolls have only increased half as fast as the rest of the nation in the past year.