Report: While other Midwestern states prosper, Illinois remains in the bottom five for economic competitiveness

The latest Rich States, Poor States report from the American Legislative Exchange Council places Illinois among the very poorest in the U.S.
The ALEC-Laffer competitiveness index released Tuesday ranks Illinois 46th out of 50 in economic outlook for 2025 and 47th out of 50 in economic performance over the last ten years.
Report author Jonathan Williams said Illinois is becoming poorer and losing residents.

Williams said Illinois has been in the bottom five for most of the last decade and there needs to be a change in the way the state does business.

On the bright side, Williams said keeping income taxes flat helped Illinois.

Story from Illinois Radio Network