Pension funding plans build on fiscal progress and prepare Illinois for long-term fiscal stability On Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, Governor JB Pritzker reaffirmed his commitment to the core principles he outlined in his FY2025 budget proposal to manage Illinois pension commitments through a set of proposals designed to build on the state’s recent fiscal progress…
Illinois saw strong economic growth in the third quarter of 2025, largely tracking national trends By RAVI MISHRA Illinois Policy Institute Illinois’ economy grew 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025, matching national growth but trailing many Midwestern states. Illinois joined a nationwide economic wave as U.S. real gross domestic product expanded 4.4% in Q3, a far cry from…
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) recently issued the following statement about Illinois American Water’s proposed rate hike Statement: Consumer watchdog vows to fight Illinois American ‘money-grab’ It is outrageous that Illinois American Water wants yet another rate hike. This company—a rate-hike machine—has already burdened customers with three increases totaling $230 million over the last decade,…
U.S. Census estimates showed Illinois lost residents to 32 states and Washington, D.C. – virtually all to lower-tax states By BRYCE HILL Director of Fiscal and Economic Analysis Illinois Policy Institute New Census Bureau data provides more evidence Illinois’ massive tax burden is driving residents away: 95 percent of the nearly 83,000 residents who left in…
By ERIC KELLEY Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer UMB Private Wealth Management Economic growth was surprisingly robust in 2025 despite lots of fireworks in Washington D.C. and some pretty challenging periods for the financial markets. We had a painful market sell-off in April after the initiation of the new tariff campaign, but that trend…
At least 49 tax hikes under Gov. J.B. Pritzker have driven state spending to record highs, even as Illinois’ economic growth has lagged the U.S. By RAVI MISHRA Illinois Policy Institute Illinois lawmakers frequently boast about economic growth and development, yet Illinois has posted one of the slowest gross domestic product growth rates in the nation while…
By STATE REP. La SHAWN FORD (D-CHICAGO) Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to spark a robust debate in our society, but all can agree it is a technology with true staying power. This is why it is essential for Illinois and the United States to take a leading role in the advancement of this technology. The…
As 2025 comes to a close, I want to pause and say thank you. Thank you for trusting me to be your voice in Springfield and for sharing your stories, concerns, and hopes for our community. Serving you has been a great honor, and this past year has reminded me why our work matters so…
Last week, the Department of Education abruptly canceled full‑service community school grants—mid‑program and with minimal warning—citing undefined conflicts with federal policy. This decision rescinds funding that had been in effect for only two or three of its planned five years, pulling the plug on supports essential to students across our state and nation. Below is…
By JOSH EVANS President and CEO Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF) For years, Illinois was known as a state that chronically underfunded services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) — the essential workers who provide daily care, skill building, medication assistance, and community access — were paid wages…