Illinoisans see $2,200 pay cut thanks to inflation
Illinoisans see $2,200 pay cut thanks to inflation
Wages rose in Illinois, but inflation rose even more. That left the average worker almost $2,200 worse off.
Cook County seeks to implement permanent guaranteed income
Cook County seeks to implement permanent guaranteed income
Cook County officials promised to make the nation’s now-largest publicly-funded guaranteed income experiment permanent May 18 shortly after introducing the initiative. The trial will start accepting applicants in the fall.
Chicago casino revenue doesn’t address 91% of city pension debt
Chicago casino revenue doesn’t address 91% of city pension debt
The Chicago City Council approved a casino development in the River West neighborhood. The generated revenue will exclusively pay for pension debt, but only an estimated 9% of what the city needs.
Illinois’ state policy choices boost threat from potential U.S. recession
Illinois’ state policy choices boost threat from potential U.S. recession
Illinois is already behind the national pandemic recovery. As the risk of recession increases, Illinoisans could fall farther behind.
High Illinois gas taxes drive residents across state line
High Illinois gas taxes drive residents across state line
For Illinois border resident Brett Retherford and his neighbors, high Illinois fuel taxes drive them to buy their gasoline in Iowa. Illinois politicians’ heavy demands lose them hoped-for taxes when drivers have a choice.
Memorial Day: Illinois outmigration
Memorial Day: Illinois outmigration
Longer public schools closed for pandemic, more students they lost
Longer public schools closed for pandemic, more students they lost
New research shows remote learning spurred the enrollment declines plaguing public schools. Schools with more in-person instruction lost fewer students.
Memorial Day brings extra pain at Illinois gas pumps
Memorial Day brings extra pain at Illinois gas pumps
Millions of motorists will hit the road this Memorial Day weekend, an unfriendly reminder of skyrocketing gas prices. Illinoisans specifically pay the most for gas in the Midwest.
Former state Rep. Luis Arroyo gets 57 months for bribery scheme
Former state Rep. Luis Arroyo gets 57 months for bribery scheme
The former Illinois House assistant majority leader now faces nearly 5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to accepting and soliciting bribes to expand sweepstakes gambling legislation in Springfield.
IRS data confirms Illinois is losing residents, wealth flight at record pace
IRS data confirms Illinois is losing residents, wealth flight at record pace
Illinois lost more than 100,000 residents and $8.5 billion on net in adjusted gross income to other states from 2019-2020, according to new federal tax return data. Those leaving earned $31K more than those coming in.
79% of Illinois communities lose people in 2021; Chicago loses 45K
79% of Illinois communities lose people in 2021; Chicago loses 45K
1,019 Illinois communities of all sizes shared in the loss of 114,000 residents in 2021, new census data shows. Chicago lost 40% of the total.
Pritzker fact check: Illinois population isn’t ‘booming’
Pritzker fact check: Illinois population isn’t ‘booming’
A Census survey intended to estimate the accuracy of the 2020 Census is being used to project an Illinois population increase. While there may be more Illinoisans than originally thought, that does not mean they aren’t leaving at an accelerating pace.
Ep. 38: The hidden tax: Why inflation is (still) soaring
Ep. 38: The hidden tax: Why inflation is (still) soaring
Inflation is hitting record highs across the nation and higher prices are affecting everyone, everywhere in the country. In Illinois, we face unique challenges, such as multiple layers of taxation that already makes gas costlier than neighboring states. The result of a more expensive cost of living is that many Illinoisans have essentially experienced a...
Brent Retherford
Brent Retherford
"This state is so wasteful and broken, and it just feels like politicians don’t care about us.”