The K-12 achievement gap in Illinois holds low-income students back
The K-12 achievement gap in Illinois holds low-income students back
In 2023, just 35.4% of Illinois public school students were proficient in reading and 27.1% in math. For low-income students in particular, the numbers were distressingly lower.
By Larry Han
Illinois’ declining labor force participation rate explains stubborn poverty rate
Illinois’ declining labor force participation rate explains stubborn poverty rate
Data shows Illinoisans who would have been working a generation ago are not today.
By Chris Coffey
The four-step approach to escaping poverty
The four-step approach to escaping poverty
The relationship between family formation and prosperity is accepted across the political spectrum.
By Chris Coffey
Chicago’s affordable housing program rife with red tape
Chicago’s affordable housing program rife with red tape
Time-consuming steps in Chicago’s affordable housing program stops the city from seeing more housing.
By Perry Zhao
Illinois tied for third-worst unemployment rate in the U.S.
Illinois tied for third-worst unemployment rate in the U.S.
Illinois' employment growth lags the nation and neighboring states in May.
By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko
How public programs can penalize workers earning more
How public programs can penalize workers earning more
Families trying to escape poverty are sometimes worse off with greater incomes because of benefits cliffs hidden in public programs.
By Aayush Goodpaty
Former Ald. Ed Burke sentenced to 2 years for racketeering, bribery
Former Ald. Ed Burke sentenced to 2 years for racketeering, bribery
Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, once the longest-serving member of the city council, was sentenced to two years in prison and pay a $2 million fine.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois third in U.S. for average in-state tuition, pricing people out of college
Illinois third in U.S. for average in-state tuition, pricing people out of college
Illinois’ average in-state tuition to public universities is among the highest in the nation. Getting an education is crucial to escaping poverty, putting Illinoisans at a great disadvantage.
By Kurtis Karg, Dylan Sharkey
Illinois Policy Institute research cited in US Senate hearing on education
Illinois Policy Institute research cited in US Senate hearing on education
Illinois Policy Institute research was cited in a U.S Senate hearing on education spending to show more funding isn’t the solution for poor performance in public schools.
By Dylan Sharkey
Utah makes life easier for job seekers; Illinois can, too
Utah makes life easier for job seekers; Illinois can, too
Utah consolidated and integrated government job and social services into a one-stop shop. Illinois can follow that example and efficiently pull more people out of poverty and into the working world.
By Chris Coffey
Charter schools offer path to academic success for families in poverty
Charter schools offer path to academic success for families in poverty
A study found charter students in poverty had stronger growth in reading and math compared to their peers in traditional public schools, especially minority students in poverty. But the Chicago Teachers Union wants to limit families’ options to enroll their students in charter schools.
By Hannah Schmid
What does it take to get a building permit in Chicago?
What does it take to get a building permit in Chicago?
Chicago lags behind other cities in housing affordability. The city’s permitting process could be holding it back.
By Joe Tabor