Tagged: Center for Governmental Studies

Economic powerhouse

NIU’s impact on regional economy estimated at $900 million a year

  • December 10, 2015
Ask Jeff Dobie what Northern Illinois University means to his business, and the pub owner doesn’t hesitate with his answer. “It would be hard to support a business of our…

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Youth movement

NIU experts: With retirement wave looming, Illinois towns
should consider offering perks to lure young, skilled workers

  • November 4, 2015
Free land to skilled workers willing to relocate. Subsidized mortgage rates for newly minted college grads who forgo big-city life and return to their hometowns. Paid moving costs and tax…

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A financial four-bagger?

Turns out, the Cubs post-season run likely produces both economic winners, losers

  • October 15, 2015
Jam-packed restaurants and saloons on game nights. Vendors hawking their wares outside Wrigley Field. Out-of-town visitors crowding Chicago hotels. With the Chicago Cubs making an extended post-season playoff run, you’d…

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Photo of a moving box, a black Sharpie and packing tape

You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

Without growth among Hispanics, Illinois population would have plunged 80,000 from 2010 to 2014

  • July 21, 2015
If not for the steady growth of the Hispanic sector from 2010 to 2014, the population of Illinois would have plummeted by nearly 80,000 people, says a Northern Illinois University…

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Rolling the dice

NIU experts weigh in on pros and cons of a Chicago casino

  • June 10, 2015
A Chicago casino would almost certainly bring in tax revenue that could help the city stave off a looming crisis over a massive public-pension shortfall, but that could be the…

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Illinois population shifts

Rockford sees substantial decline; Naperville, Elgin, Aurora add residents

  • May 26, 2015
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates indicate that Rockford, the third largest city in Illinois, is leading the state in population decline. From July 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014, Rockford’s…

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Illinois leads nation in population decline

NIU CGS: Census data for 2014 shows state’s first net drop since 1980s

  • March 30, 2015
New U.S. Census Bureau data shows Illinois had nearly 10,000 fewer residents in 2014 than in the previous year – the largest numerical decline of any state in the nation…

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