With Durbin stepping down, top Democrats compete for his seat — and his mantle as an advocate for downstate Illinois.

Illinois’s Economic Policies Are Destroying Opportunity. ... Adam writes about state and local policy and urban economic issues. Follow Author. Feb 21, 2025, 08:48am EST. Share. Save.

Even in some economic areas in which it has improved, such as the rainy day fund to keep the state operating during a downturn, which is up 700% since the Great Recession, Illinois still lags most ...

Illinois is not alone in dealing with these issues. Many are expecting budget imbalances next year, ... MPP is an economist at the nonpartisan Illinois Economic Policy Institute. 0 Article Comments.

The current Illinois economic story includes higher unemployment, store closings, layoffs and inflation. The state’s jobless rate rose to 5% in June.

Reducing corruption will improve local economies and cultivate more trust between voters and elected officials.

Overall, the study ranked Illinois 40th for its state economy but dead last in the economic health category. “Fifty-one out of 50 states and Washington, D.C.,” said Lugo.

Illinois must build 227,000 more housing units in the next five years if it is going to keep pace with demand, according to an economic report released Tuesday.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently signed a bill calling for the end of coal as a power source and mandating only clean energy production by 2050.

WEST FRANKFORT — The Old King Coal Festival is still held here every year, though coal is no longer king. This community in deep southern Illinois was once awash with so-called black diamonds ...