(The Center Square) – A new study reveals that a low-income person’s ability to move up in society is worse in Illinois than in any other Midwestern state.
A joint report on social mobility was conducted by the Archbridge Institute and Illinois Policy Institute. The authors note that even within geographical regions with similar demographics, social mobility differs greatly among states.
“Whether that is through income or overall well-being, it really is a holistic approach to the ability to make your life better than what it was, than the situation you were born in,” said Justin Callais, chief economist at the Archbridge Institute.
Callais said the four top priorities for state policymakers to improve social mobility are entrepreneurship and economic growth, institutions and the rule of law, education and skills development, and social capital.
Josh Bandoch, head of policy at IPI, said Illinois ranked 40th in the country for social mobility.
“The things that are really bad in Illinois are, no shocker here, taxes, high property taxes and lots of other taxes,” said Bandoch. “Regulation in Illinois is really bad.”
The report cites other factors hurting Illinois’ ranking such as weak business innovation, too many housing restrictions, and low judicial quality.
Bandoch said easing occupational licensing, less taxation, and improving judicial quality would move Illinois up in the rankings.
“How people perceive the justice system results in a ranking that is 48th out of 50 states,” said Bandoch. “People just don’t think the state can take care of justice.”
Bandoch said Illinois’ elected officials face a choice: Will they commit to making Illinois a place where families want to move, call home, and grow, or will it continue to be a place where each year tens of thousands of families flee because they don’t see a future in the state?
According to the report, the top three states for social mobility are Utah, Minnesota and Montana.