Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

High cost of government shrinks Illinois’ workforce

High cost of government shrinks Illinois’ workforce

Population decline has shrunk Illinois’ workforce and the relative size of the state economy. Attracting more workers from other states starts with lowering the cost of living, decreasing pension costs and debt, and improving the state’s social services.

By Orphe Divounguy

Invest in Kids scholarships help single moms get kids through tough times

Invest in Kids scholarships help single moms get kids through tough times

Illinois’ tax credit scholarship program for low-income families helped these three single moms and their children. Education during COVID-19 is failing low-income students, but the program can help if state lawmakers back bills to save and expand it.

Illinois 3rd-most regulated state in U.S.

Illinois 3rd-most regulated state in U.S.

Illinois has the nation’s third-highest number of state regulations and double the U.S. average. Regulations make life hard for Illinois’ small businesses, where most Illinois jobs are created.

By Bryce Hill, Jim Royal

700 days of rule by executive order under J.B. Pritzker

700 days of rule by executive order under J.B. Pritzker

Today marks day 700 of life in Illinois under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s emergency executive orders. Other governors, including neighboring Iowa, are rolling back executive control, and the majority of Midwest states are no longer under emergency authority.

By Joe Tabor