New Census data: 75% of Illinois cities shrank last year, Chicago population drop nation’s 3rd-worst
May 16, 2024
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It was another year of population losses for Chicago and the overwhelming majority of Illinois cities in 2023. Chicago’s population loss of 8,208 was the nation’s third-largest in the country, behind only New York and Philadelphia’s. And 75% of Illinois’ 122 cities with a population of 20,000 or more also shrunk. Illinois’ ongoing struggles with population and outmigration reflect the ongoing public policy failures of the last few decades and which continue to this day.
Illinois education officials continuously claim there’s a teacher shortage across the state. Yet data from the state’s own Illinois Report Card shows that hiring at schools has been booming over the last 25 years, especially when you consider that student enrollment has been shrinking at the same time.
Ted joined Dan and Amy to talk about the failures of Mayor Johnson’s first year in office, what Chicago’s future looks like, why so many CPS teachers are chronically absent, the details of Gov. Pritzker’s $827 million giveaway to Rivian, and more.
Weekly crime statistics from the Chicago Police Department: Report through 5/12/2024.