Illinois’ population losses are frequently cited in debates over the state’s tax rates and business laws.
Last year, Census figures show it was tied for the greatest rate of people leaving the state.
But Sarah Crane, with Moody’s Analytics, says a federal immigration crackdown could make it even worse.
"Any policies that severely curtail immigration will hurt the state's population growth even more than expected, in addition to labor force growth.”
Last year Census figures show a net 83,000 thousand people left Illinois. They also show Illinois ranked ninth among states as a destination for the greatest number of international immigrants. Without new overseas residents, the state population would have dropped by an additional 31,000 people.
