Publications
Search the Publications
Artificial Intelligence as a Health Communication Infrastructure for Metro and Nonmetro Residents
RB8_10 This paper explores whether AI use for health information is skewed towards young people, for example, less than 35 years of age, living in the metro. Statistical analysis of survey data from 1,343 [...]
Artificial Intelligence in Illinois’ Firms
RB8_9 This research explores AI use among firms in Illinois using the Data Axle database. An analysis of firms' websites reveals that AI components such as NLP are widely used, or mentioned, but questions [...]
Sleep Quality among Midwesterners, Metro vs. Nonmetro
RB8_8 This paper provides epidemiological data on sleep quality of Midwesterners. Data are from the AARP’s healthy living survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago. The online and telephone survey, fielded during [...]
Healthcare Information Technology, Market Analysis
RB8_7 This research addresses three questions about health care information technology: 1) how large is the market; 2) how to segment the market; and 3) what factors influence the diffusion of electronic wearables among the [...]
Healthy Aging in Illinois, Metro vs. Nonmetro
RB8_6 This paper explores Illinoisans’ longevity engagement using two microdata sets: the American Community Survey, 2024, five-year estimates, and 2024 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Statistical analysis reveals that only Illinoisans aged 65 and older [...]
Teen Vaccinations in Illinois
RB8_5 According to the CDC, at least 20% of teens can be categorized as vaccine-hesitant segment for the Human Papillomavirus vaccine (HPV). This paper explored the concept of vaccine hesitancy among teens in Illinois [...]
Hearing Loss and Nutrient Intakes
RB8_4 This paper explores the role of nutrient intakes on hearing health using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2021-2023. Survey data representing 323 million respondents were analyzed using robust data [...]
Visual Impairment and Blindness among Illinoisans, Metro vs. Nonmetro
RB8_3 This research explores the prevalence of vision impairment among Illinoisans. Data are from the American Community Survey (ACS), 2019-2023, 5-year estimates, and Area Health Resources File, 2024. Statistical analysis indicates that 284,278 [...]
Trends in Cancer Incidence in Younger Adults in the Midwest
RB8_2 This paper explores the types of cancers afflicting younger adults in the Midwest census region. Data are from the National Health Interview Survey, 2019 and 2024. Data analysis shows that different types of skin cancers, [...]
FinTech and Illinoisans: What do we Know?
RB8_1 This research explored Illinoisans use of FinTech services. Microdata from an AARP survey of adults age 25 and above were used to gain insights into FinTech users. Data analysis indicates that nine out [...]
A Discrimination-Decision Interpretation of Nutrition Intakes among Races / Cultures
RB7_20 This research explores race influences on nutrient intakes using concepts from signal detection theory. The premise is that one’s race influences one’s food choices; for example, for French, wine is part of their culture. [...]
Vision and Driving, Elderly Illinoisans
RB7_19 Statistics from the Illinois Department of Transportation show that senior Illinoisans have the lowest crash rate in the state. To validate this inductive inference, this research analyzed data from an AARP survey of adults [...]
Meditation and Wellbeing: A National Survey of Metro / Nonmetro Adults, Quinquagenarian to Nonagenarian
RB7_18 Meditation, the self-regulation of attention, is the focus of this research. Data from the 2023 AARP Meditation Survey reveal that elderly in the nonmetro need to be educated on the benefits of meditation; they [...]
Differences in Nutrition Intakes: Female versus Male Headed Households
RB7_17 Research indicates that neighborhood environments, for example, food deserts, have little or no effect on healthy eating. This paper explores the demand facets of health food consumption using microdata from the National Health [...]
Expenditures for Treatment of Mental Health Disorders in Children: The US Census Regions
RB7_16 This research mines data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2023, to explore mental disorders among children and adolescents in the nation. Data analysis indicates that of the approximately 54 million children and adolescents [...]
Interests in Learning about Global Healthcare Practices: Differences in Responses among Racial Groups in the Metro and the Nonmetro
RB7_15 This research explores geographical and race variations in intentions to learn healthcare best practices from other nations. Data are from a national survey of 1,014 adults, age 50 and above; the survey was fielded [...]
Depressive Symptoms Among Rural Americans
RB 7_14 This paper explores depressive disorder among rural residents using microdata from the National Health Interview Survey, 2024. It is estimated that the nonmetro geography was home to 17.58 million depressed individuals, 15% of [...]
Health-Related Internet Use among Adults in the Midwest, Metro and Nonmetro Geographies
RB7_13 This research explored health-related Internet use in the Midwest census region. Results indicate that the drive to search for health-related information on the Internet stems from Midwesterners’ belief that health recommendations from experts [...]
Palliative Care and Caregiving in the Midwest, Metro and Nonmetro Geographies: Insights from HINTS 2024
RB7_12 This paper explores palliative care and caregiving in the Midwest using microdata from the Health Information National Trends Survey, 2024. Statistical analysis of data reveals that caregiving is widespread in the region; caring for [...]
Midwesterners’ Beliefs about Genetic Testing: Variability Across Ethnic Groups and Metro Vs. Nonmetro Residents
RB7_11 This research explores data on genetic testing from the Health Information National Trends Survey, 2024. Data analysis indicates that ancestry testing and testing for specific diseases are the types of genetic testing that [...]
Participation in Clinical Trials in the Midwest
RB7_10 Research indicates that only 4% of the population participate in trials. This research explores ways to increase Midwesterners participation in trials. Data are from the survey, “AARP Clinical Trials”. Data analysis indicates that a majority [...]
Illinoisans’ Perceptions about Physicians’ Pay
RB7_9 This research explores Illinoisans’ perceptions about healthcare workers’ pay. Data are from an AARP survey of adults age 50 and older. Data analysis shows that proportionally more in the nonmetro believe that physicians, nurses [...]
Health Impacts of Gambling in Illinois
RB7_8 Five decades ago, in 1975, the World Health Organization labeled gambling as a disease in the International Classification of Diseases. Yet, research studies on gambling at the state level is sparse. This research attempts [...]
Artificial Intelligence in Community Economic Development: The Invisible Danger of AI Hallucinations
RB7_7 This paper explores the accuracy of GPT responses to a set of community economic development questions. Three GPT models were queried: ChatGPT4, Claude.ai, and Google Gemini. The focus was on three structural frameworks [...]
Primary Care Workforce in Illinois Counties, Demand and Supply
RB7_5 This paper explores the ‘trend’ in primary care physician numbers in Illinois, for both the metro and the nonmetro counties. Data are from the Area Health Resources File (AHRF), 2023-2024 release. Data analysis [...]
Correlates of Sports Participation in the Metro and the Nonmetro
RB 7_6 This paper explores rural-urban divide in sport participation. Microdata from IPSOS’ Sports Poll were sourced to gain insights into sports participation. Results of data analysis indicate that: 1) basketball is the most played [...]
Business Incubator at Western Illinois University’s Quad Cities Campus: Market Assessment
RB7_4 This research identifies market opportunities for a Western Illinois University, Quad-Cities based business “incubation” initiative. Several datasets such as PrivCo were queried to achieve the objective. Results indicate that the Quad Cities region will host [...]
Illinois Households’ Disaster Preparedness
RB7_3 This paper explores Illinois households’ disaster preparedness using microdata from the 2023 household survey conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Results of data analysis indicate that while a majority of the respondents [...]
Risks of Homelessness in Illinois: County-wise Estimates
RB7_2 Data from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) paint an alarming picture of homelessness for Illinois; the state registered the most change in number of people experiencing homelessness from 2023 to [...]
Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine Platforms, their Presence in Illinois and Natural Language Analysis of News Reports about the Industry
RB7-1 This paper explores market for companies that do not manufacture drugs, but contract with physicians to sell drugs for off-label uses online. Microdata from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and firm-level data from Mergent [...]
Market Selection Insights for New Mental Healthcare Facilities in Rural Illinois
RB6_19 This research addresses the question, “of all the potentially promising areas in Illinois for locating a mental health facility, which areas should be selected”. Data analysis indicates that PUMA 202 which includes Henry, Mercer, [...]
Medical Debt of Residents in the Metro and the Nonmetro
RB6_18 Medical debt plagues nearly 40million individuals in the nation. This paper uses data from a survey conducted among the nation’s adults to explore the correlates of healthcare debt. Data analysis indicates that more in [...]
Walking in the Metro and the Nonmetro: Beliefs and Behavior of People Aged 50 and Older
RB6_17 This research uses data from a national survey of adults aged 50 and above to explore their walking related beliefs and behavior. Data analysis shows that metro respondents prefer the beach, or a park, [...]
Costs of Mental Disorders in the Midwest: Insights from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, Household Component
RB6_16 This paper provides estimates of number of people who had expenses related to the treatment of mental disorders. Mental disorders were defined to include anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating [...]
Mental Health of Women in Rural Illinois: Insights from the Household Pulse Survey, June-July 2024
RB6_15 This research focuses on the mental health of women in rural Illinois. Data analysis shows that the mental health of rural women is impacted negatively by a variety of factors including working for pay, [...]
A Metro / Nonmetro Comparison of Knowledge about State Bans on Abortion and Attitude Towards Abortion
RB6_14 This paper explores residents’ knowledge and feelings about abortion, a topic that has attained popularity since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. Data are from an Axios/Ipsos survey that [...]
Customer Perceptions of Critical Access Hospitals in Illinois: Insights from User-Generated Contents from Google and Yelp
RB6_13 This paper uses natural language processing algorithms to gain insights into customer ratings of critical access hospitals on Google and Yelp. Data analysis shows that two attributes, ‘service’ and ‘personnel’, differentiate the best rated [...]
Healthcare in Illinois: A County-Level Index of ‘Readiness for AI’ in Healthcare
RB6_12 This research addresses two salient questions about AI in healthcare: How to conceptualize AI diffusion in healthcare and how could we assess AI readiness of Illinois counties? I argue that AI is not [...]
Food and Drug Administration Approved Artificial Intelligence Medical Devices, January 2020 – March 2024
RB6_11 From January 2020 through March 2024, the FDA has approved 661 AI-enabled medical devices for use in the US. This research explores this data to address questions such as: which nations dominate innovations in [...]
Illinois Agricultural Workers’ Health: A County-Level Analysis
RB6_10 To be employed in industry an individual must be relatively healthy and active. How healthy is the agricultural workforce in Illinois? This research addresses this question using data from the US Census, Medical Expenditure [...]
Prevalence of Hospital Readmission in Illinois Counties, 2007-2022
RB6_9 A hospital readmission occurs when a patient is admitted to a hospital within a specified time period after being discharged from an earlier hospitalization. CMS data from the Fee-for-Service Geographic Variation Public Use [...]
Discrimination in Healthcare: Perceptions among LGBTQ Individuals in the Metro and the Nonmetro
RB6_8 The LGBTQ communities in the nation report experiences of discrimination across many areas of life. This research explores the healthcare experiences of LGBT population in the metro and the nonmetro geographies of the nation. [...]
Geographic Variation in Trauma Deaths in Rural Illinois: A Hypothesis about Trauma Deserts
RB6_7 This paper explores the association between trauma deserts and trauma mortality using counties in rural Illinois as the geographical unit of analysis. Results of data analysis suggest the typical distance to a trauma center [...]
Person and Environmental Characteristics of People with Schizophrenia in the Midwest Region
RB6_6 This paper explores the relationships between schizophrenia and demographic variables using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2021. The Midwest census region is the geographical unit of analysis. Statistical analysis of data indicates [...]
Maternal Mortality in Illinois Counties by Race, 2000-2023
RB6_5 The Institute of Health Metrics based at the University of Washington, School of Medicine, provides visualization of maternal mortality rates at the county level, but to gather timeseries data and analyze trends in maternal [...]
Nutritional Guidance on Fitness Centers’ Websites in Illinois: An Automated Content Analysis
RB6_4 In Illinois, a license is required for a person to offer dietetics and nutrition services or to practice medical nutrition therapy. However, exercise professionals can provide general nonmedical nutrition information to clients either personally [...]
Free Time and Physical Activity of Illinoisans: Evidence from the American Time Use Survey
RB6_3 This paper explores the extent to which Illinoisans engage in physical activity during their free time. Free time is operationally defined as sum of time spent on activities other than paid work, for example, [...]
Men’s Health in Illinois: Metro versus Nonmetro
RB6_2 The difference between male and female life expectancy in Illinois is 6 years, 73.8 years is the life expectancy for men compared to 79.8 years for women. According to the Center for Disease [...]
Physicians Use of Electronic Health Records in Community Health Centers and Other Outpatient Settings: Use Purpose and Overall Satisfaction
RB6_1 This paper explores the association between electronic health record (EHR) use and healthcare provider satisfaction using data from the National Electronic Health Records Survey, 2021. Results of data analysis suggest that about nine out [...]
Support for Healthy Eating and Active Living in Rural Communities: Insights from a National Survey of Local Governments
RB 5_23 Support for Healthy Eating and Active Living in Rural Communities: Insights from a National Survey of Local Governments This paper explores local government policies that facilitate or support healthy eating and active living. [...]
Pharmaceuticalization of Obesity: Empirical Analysis of Metro and Nonmetro Populations, Cognitions and Behavior
RB 5_22 Pharmaceuticalization of Obesity: Empirical Analysis of Metro and Nonmetro Populations, Cognitions and Behavior This research uses microdata from the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Health Tracking Poll, 2023, to explore residents’ perceptions, attitude, and behavioral [...]
Beliefs about Dementia and Risk-Reducing Behavior: An Empirical Analysis of Adults Age 40 and Above in the Midwest, Metro versus Nonmetro
RB5_21 Beliefs about Dementia and Risk-Reducing Behavior: An Empirical Analysis of Adults Age 40 and Above in the Midwest, Metro versus Nonmetro. This paper uses microdata from the AARP survey on the Perceptions Related to [...]
Cognitive Functioning in Later-Life, Older than 65 Years: Insights from the Health and Retirement Panel Study, 2010-2020
RB5_20 Cognitive Functioning in Later-Life, Older than 65 Years: Insights from the Health and Retirement Panel Study, 2010-2020 The concept ‘cognitive functioning’ refers to mental abilities; it includes thinking, learning, and decision making. Age-related cognitive [...]
The Costs and Benefits of Recreational Cannabis Legalization in Illinois: County Level Analysis
RB 5-19 The Costs and Benefits of Recreational Cannabis Legalization in Illinois: County Level Analysis Illinois legalized recreational marijuana in January 2020. This paper examines the ‘value’ of cannabis to Illinois counties. The construct ‘value’ [...]
Theories of Financial Hardship and Measures of the Construct in Health Datasets: Empirical Applications for Illinois and the Metro/Nonmetro Populations of the Nation
RB 5-18 Theories of Financial Hardship and Measures of the Construct in Health Datasets: Empirical Applications for Illinois and the Metro/Nonmetro Populations of the Nation This paper shows how the construct “financial hardship” should be [...]
An Empirical Analysis of Financial Hardship Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia: Metro and Nonmetro Patients
RB 5-17 An Empirical Analysis of Financial Hardship Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia: Metro and Nonmetro Patients This paper explores financial hardships among ADRD patients using data from the National Health and Aging [...]
Burden of Health Care Costs for Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia
RB 5-16 Burden of Health Care Costs for Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia What is the typical out-of-pocket spending on healthcare for individuals afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia? This paper addresses [...]
Exploring the Other Side of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia: Informal Caregivers
RB 5_15 Exploring the Other Side of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia: Informal Caregivers This paper investigates metro-nonmetro differences in caregiving for sufferers of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia. Based on the reasoning that caregiving [...]
Urban-Rural Differences in Mental Health Concerns: Findings from a Survey of the American General Population
RB 5-14 Urban-Rural Differences in Mental Health Concerns: Findings from a Survey of the American General Population This research provides stylized facts about mental health in the metro and the nonmetro and thus opens pathways [...]
Telemedicine and the Carbon Footprint of Healthcare: An Empirical Analysis of Metro versus Nonmetro Illinois
RB5-13 Telemedicine and the Carbon Footprint of Healthcare: An Empirical Analysis of Metro versus Nonmetro Illinois The US healthcare sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas generation and thus climate change. This study explores [...]
Cost of Dementia in Illinois: Metro versus Nonmetro
RB5_12-Cost-of-Dementia-in-Illinois-Metro-versus-Nonmetro This paper explores metro-nonmetro differences in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s dementia. Data analysis suggests that more nonmetro Illinoisans experience cognitive difficulties; dementia is less of a concern for metro residents, men, and for persons [...]
Health Related Beliefs of Ethnic Groups: An Exploratory Analysis
RB5_11-Health-Related-Beliefs-of-Ethnic-Groups0AAn-Exploratory-Analysis This paper tests the proposition that one’s cognitive representations of health are related to one’s perceptions about happenings in the community. Microdata from a telephone survey of adults aged 18 and older informed the [...]
Gender and Health in the Midwest, Metro versus Nonmetro: Insights from the National Health Interview Survey
RB_5_10-Gender-and-Health-in-the-Midwest This paper tests the proposition that one’s cognitive representations of health are related to one’s perceptions about happenings in the community. Microdata from a telephone survey of adults aged 18 and older informed the [...]
Patient Satisfaction with Rural Health Centers
RB5_9-Patient-Satisfaction-with-Rural-Health-Centers This research uses microdata from a health center patient survey to explore patients’ service quality perceptions and satisfaction with health centers. Results of empirical analysis show that Black patients are more skeptical of health [...]
Race Differences in Physicians’ Annual Incomes in Illinois: Metro versus Nonmetro
RB5_8-Race-Differences-in-Physicians-Annual-Incomes Race is a social construct. Although the median wealth of a White family is 10 times the median wealth of a Black family, race should be less of a determinant of earnings, a proxy [...]
Climate and Mortality in Nonmetro Illinois: Retrospective Study, 1999-2021 and Projections of Mortality for 2030
RB57-Climate-and-Mortality-in-Nonmetro-Illinois-Retrospective-Study-1999-2021-and-Projections-of-Mortality-for-2030 Climatic predictions for the Illinois region are for extreme heat, heavy rainfall, and flashfloods, which suggest that heat-related illness and waterborne disease would be salient public-health concerns. Data analysis reveals that maximum temperatures in [...]
Dental Care Use in the Midwest: Metro vs. Nonmetro
RB5_6-oral-health-disparities-in-the-Midwest This research is about dental care use; motivations for care and likelihood of visiting a dentist or dental clinic are researched. The Midwest region was the geographical unit of analysis. Three sources of data [...]
Worker Burnout in Healthcare: Metro vs. Non-Metro
RB5_5_Mar_7-Worker-Burnout-in-Healthcare This study shows that more than one-in-two healthcare workers, both in the metro and the non-metro, are burned out. Data are from the USA Today / Ipsos survey of healthcare workers, fielded during February [...]
Health Policy for Rural Illinois, Data for Policy Development
RB5_4-Health-Policy-for-Rural-Illinois-Data-for-Policy-Development This paper provides data for heath policy for rural Illinois; the state’s metropolitan data are provided for comparison purposes. The construct, “health policy”, is conceptualized to be a function of four factors: healthcare access, [...]
Health and Healthcare Disparities in Illinois, Metro vs. Nonmetro
RB5_3-Health-and-Healthcare-Disparities-in-Illinois-Metro-vs-Nonmetro This paper addresses the question, “What is the status of health and healthcare disparities in Illinois” using data from three sources: American Community Survey, 2017-2021; Health Cost & Utilization Project, 2018-2020, and Behavioral Risk [...]
Physical Activity of Illinoisans in the Metro and the Nonmetro
RB5_2-Physical-Activity-of-Illinoisans-in-the-Metro-and-the-Nonmetro This research shows that more nonmetro Illinoisans are physically inactive compared to their metro counterparts. Data analysis reveals that 80% of nonmetro residents are either overweight (Body-Mass Index more than 25, but less than [...]
Hospitals in Illinois that are Likely to Seek the Rural Emergency Hospital Designation: An Exploratory Analysis
RB5_1-Hospitals-in-Illinois-that-are-Likely-to-Seek0Athe-Rural-Emergency-Hospital-Designation0AAn-Exploratory-Analysis The Rural Emergency Hospital designation offers current Critical Access Hospitals and rural Prospective Payment System hospitals with fewer than 50 beds to furnish emergency department and observation services. A principal component analysis of microdata [...]
The Living Conditions of Elderly in Nonmetro Illinois and East North Central Division of the Midwest Region
RB4_22-Living-Conditions-of-Elderly This paper describes the attributes of elderly housing in the metro and the nonmetro. Paucity of housing data at the nonmetro level motivated the research. Data analysis suggests that a majority of elderly in [...]
Free Expression among Races: Differences Between the Metro and the Nonmetro
RB4_21_free-expression-among-races This paper highlights differences in beliefs about the First Amendment and free speech rights among three different races: Whites, African Americans, and Asians. Data are from a survey conducted by the Knight Foundation. While [...]
Farmers Involvement in Educational Activities: Insights from the American Time Use Survey (ATUS) and Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) Microdata Sets
RB4_20_farmers-involvement-in-education-activities This paper explores time spent by self-employed farmers on work and work-related educational activities. Data analysis reveals that farming is primarily learned by experience and discovery; farmers spend little or no time on formal [...]
Shifting Meaning of Inequity: Insights from the Blog Posts of National Black Farmers Association
Shifting-Meaning-of-Inequity-Insights-from-the-Blog-Posts-of-National-Black-Farmers-Association-RB419 This paper uses topic modelling to study 217 blogs from the National Black Farmers Association. A blog is a verbal behavior of the blogger; every verbal behavior or utterance has a probability of emission. [...]
Youth E-Cigarette Use in Illinois and the Midwest: Insights from A Panel Study
Youth-E-Cigarette-Use-_-RB418 This paper explores e-cigarette use among young people in Illinois and the Midwest; data were from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study. Results of data analysis suggest that (i) 11% of [...]
The Threat of Automation: Differences in Perceptions Between Metro and Nonmetro Labor Force Participants
RB4_17-Threat-of-automation The present study was constructed to determine the social and economic characteristics of those workers who perceive automation as a threat. Data were from a survey of adults sponsored by the Center for Workforce [...]
Impacts of Automation on Employment: Metro and Nonmetro Illinois
RB4_16-Impacts-of-Automation This paper explores the impact of automation on occupations in Illinois. Many foresee negative impacts, that automation will wipe out millions of jobs. Empirical analysis suggests that the role of labor in industry output [...]
An Empirical Analysis of the Attributes of New and Beginning Farmers in Illinois
New-and-beginning-farmers-in-Illinois-RB4_15 This paper compares the characteristics of beginning operators and their farming operations with those of experienced producers using data from the census of agriculture. Results of data analysis reveal that 99% of all beginning [...]
Young Illinoisans’ Interests in Farming
Young-Illinoisans-Interests-in-Farming_RB4_14_ This paper explores young persons’ interests in farming using published data from the Census of Agriculture and related sources. One of the salient findings of the research is that the head of the farming [...]
An Empirical Analysis of Farm Tenancy in Illinois and Tweets about Farm Tenancy
Empirical-analysis-of-Illinois-farm-tenancy-RB4_13_3 This paper explores Illinois farm tenancy using both published quantitative data and qualitative Tweets. Results of data analysis suggest that in 2020 eight percent of Illinois farms had tenant farmers; sixty two percent of [...]
Foreign Businesses in the Agricultural Sector in Illinois
Foreign-Businesses-in-the-Agricultural-Sector-In-Illinois_RB4_12 Fourteen overseas companies operate 27 subsidiaries in the state. The typical parent company has been in business since 1954, employs 23,500 people, and has an annual revenue of $10.03bil. The 27 subsidiaries function in [...]
Rural Illinois in Numbers: Content-Valid Indicators for Governance
Rural-Illinois-in-Numbers-Content-Valid-Indicators-for-governance_RB4_11_2 This paper provides ‘valid’ indicators for quality of life assessment at the county level. Validity is the response to the question, “how truthfully does the measure represent the constructs in the theory”. Based on [...]
Illinois Farm Ownership by Race and Farm Productivity
RB410-Illinois-Farm-Ownership-by-race-and-farm-productivity This paper explores the impact of producer’s race on farm productivity. Data analysis suggests that: (i) minority farmers own farms that are less than 50 acres in size; the opposite is true for the [...]
Restaurant Inspections in Illinois: A Control Theory Analysis
RB49-restaurants-inspections-in-Illinois Market-regulation is often imposed on industries that generate substantial external costs; restaurants are responsible for majority of foodborne illness in the nation. Data on restaurant inspections for the years 2020, 2021, and January 1, [...]
Labor Mobility in Illinois: Industry by Occupation Analysis
RB48_local-mobility-in-illinois-industry-by-occupation This paper explores whether Covid-19 could have increased the likelihood of job changes of an extreme sort; Illinoisans may have taken jobs outside their interests and below their capacities. Employment data from the Bureau [...]
Job-to-Job Flows in Illinois, 2000-2021
rb47-Job-to-Job-Hires This paper explores the dynamics of labor movements in Illinois using data from the US Census Bureau. Empirical analysis reveals that Covid-19 has altered the level of job-to-job movements, from a pre Covid-19 average [...]
Rural Education in Charts, 2000-2022
Rural-education-in-charts-2000-to-2022_v4_6 This paper provides a snapshot of rural educational attainment as at January 2022. Apart from crosstabulations of educational attainment with demographic variables such as gender and age, the paper also estimates Covid-19 impacts on [...]
Discouraged Workers in the Nonmetro
Discouraged-Workers-v4_5 This paper explores the personal characteristics of those discouraged over job prospects. Microdata from the Current Population Survey, for three monthly periods, January 2020, January 2021, and January 2022, were compiled to gain insights [...]
Rural Residents’ Evaluation of their College Education: Insights from the Federal Reserve Board’s Survey of Household Economics and Decision Making
Rural-residents-evaluation-of-college-education-RB4_4 This paper explores metro nonmetro differences in value perceptions of college degrees. Responses from 11,648 adults, a nationally representative sample of 18+ year old individuals, were used to gain insights into cost-benefit evaluations of [...]
Demographics of High-Income Households in Rural Illinois, 2021
demographics-high-income-households-in-rural-illinois-2022_V4_3 This paper presents the profile of high-income households in rural Illinois. Salient findings include: (1) Households in the top quintile accounted for 52% of total household income in rural Illinois; and (2) A typical [...]
Interpreting the Recent Decline in Illinois’ Labor Force: April 2020 – December 2021
RB42_LF_Final This paper focuses on the effects of extraneous factors such as Covid-19 on Illinoisans’ nonparticipation in the labor market. During the early weeks of the pandemic, April 23, 2020 to June 23, 2020, Covid-19 [...]
Telemedicine use in Illinois during the weeks leading to the spread of Covid-19, omicron variant: Insights from the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey
RB4_1_household_pulse_survey_complete Based on the reasoning that behavior is adaptable to changing circumstances, this paper explores whether telemedicine has become common among Illinoisans, since the emergence of Covid-19 in January 2020. Micro data from the US [...]
Coronavirus Vaccine Refusal and Hesitancy: Metro versus Nonmetro Differences
Vaccine_refusal_hesitancy This paper highlights Covid-19 vaccine behavior among Medicare beneficiaries. Data are from the Winter 2021, Covid-19 supplement to the Medicare Beneficiary Survey. Results of data analysis suggest that slightly more than one-in-three metro and [...]
Supplier-Induced Demand and Telemedicine in Rural Illinois: An Exploratory Analysis
supplier-induced-demand-and-telemedicine-in-rural-illinois This paper explores the market for telehealth in rural Illinois; specifically, the argument that medical practitioners have the ability to generate demand for telemedicine services is empirically tested using data from the Medicare Beneficiary [...]
Unused Human Resources in Rural Illinois: A Profile of “Not in the Labor Force” Population, January – October 2021
Unused-human-resources This paper uses the concept of ‘labor reserve’ to highlight the potential supply of labor in rural Illinois. Labor reserve encompasses those nonparticipants who are most likely to join the labor force under more [...]
The Dynamics of Rural Illinois’ Human Capital
Rural-Illinois-Human-Capital This paper shows educational attainment by race and gender for rural Illinois. Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) were used to calibrate a human capital metric for rural Illinois. Results show that White females contribute [...]
Explaining Outmigration Intentions of Rural Population
Explaining-Outmigration-Intentions This study uses data from a recent Ipsos survey, Understanding Society: Wave 1 April 2021 2 , to explore the determinants of outmigration intentions of rural residents. Results of empirical analysis show that the [...]
Direct Mail Advertisements and Their Economic Contributions: The Case of Rural Illinois
direct_mail_advertisement_rural Any unsolicited advertising sent to potential customers through the mail is called “direct mail”. Illinois is home to 109 direct mail enterprises; the state is fifth largest in market concentration of direct mail businesses. [...]
Illinoisans Reports to the Do-Not-Call Registry Since the Indoor Mask Mandate: August 30, 2021 – September 13, 2021
Do_not_call This paper addresses the question whether the introduction of the indoor mask mandate in Illinois stimulate or increase telemarketing activities in the state; data from the Federal Trade Commission were used to gain insights.
Twitter Reactions to Governor Pritzker’s Indoor Mask Mandate
mask_mandate This paper analyzed Tweets that were provided as responses to Governor Pritzker’s indoor mask mandate that came into effect on August 30, 2021. Illinoisans responded to the mandate the most, 67%. The low vaccination [...]
Covid-19 Impacts on Women-Owned Businesses: A Systematic Literature Review and Empirical Analysis
covid_impact_on_women-owned_businesses_v3_13_2021_2 This research shows that women-owned businesses were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic severely; during April, 2020, the number of women-owned businesses were 50% less than what it was during April, 2019. Businesses functioning in [...]
Problem Identification in Community Economic Development via Natural Language Processing
Problem Identification in Community Economic Development via Natural Language Processing This paper highlights the use of natural language processing algorithms to mine popular press articles about CED; specifically, it highlights a methodology to extract CED [...]
Differing Perceptions of External Environment: The Case of Ethnic Groups in the Midwest, Metro versus Nonmetro Region
ethnicity_pereceptions_v3_n11_3 This paper is about people living geographically side by side, yet socially and politically dwelling in different spheres. This paper has highlighted some ideas and practices of the four prominent ethnic groups in the [...]
Deep-Tech Inventions in Illinois: An Empirical Analysis
deep-tech-inventions-v3-n10_2 This paper explores deep-tech inventions in Illinois using the USPTO data on patents. Download Appendix I here.
An Empirical Analysis of Research Outputs in Community Economic Development: Implications for the Study Area
research-output-community-development-June-3-2021 This paper addresses the question, “what are the emerging areas of research in community economic development (CED)”. Using dispersion-analysis of journal publications in the field, the difficulty of repeat-publications in CED is explored. Next, [...]
Marijuana Tax Revenues: Estimates for Illinois Counties, July 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021
marijuana-tax-revenue-May-18-2021 This paper estimates marijuana tax revenues at the county level. Counties were allowed to collect taxes on recreational marijuana sales starting July 2020. In nonmetro, the median tax receipts for recreational marijuana is slightly [...]
Marijuana Use: Differences Between Metro and Nonmetro Regions
Market-Demand-for-Marijuana_May7 What are the drivers of demand for Cannabis products in Illinois? Does marijuana use differ between metro and nonmetro regions? What are the characteristics of marijuana users? This paper addresses these and other related [...]
Covid-19 Pandemic: Effects on Minority-Owned Businesses in Illinois
ResBrief6_Minority_Apr2021 This research explores minority economic development in Illinois, using self-employment numbers for the minorities during the Covid-19 pandemic. During all four phases of Covid-19 mitigation, African-American self-employment took the turn for the worse, the [...]
Twitter Conversations of Lawmakers in Illinois: Do Lawmakers’ Verbal Behaviors Predict their Political Affiliation?
twitter-conversations-of-lawmakers-in-Illinois_Mar6_2021_2 This paper explores the verbal behaviors of Illinois lawmakers using their Tweets as the unit of analysis. Empirical analysis suggests that reinforcement history within the two major political parties has resulted in production of [...]
Telemedicine in Illinois: Ecological Explanations
telemedicine_ecological_explanation2 This paper explores the environmental correlates of telemedicine. Empirical analysis of telemedicine use in Illinois counties reveals that the service is patronized in large numbers by collectivists, people who value collective responsibility over individual [...]
The Value of Telemedicine
Telemedicine_ResBrief3_Feb3_2021 Webinar on the Topic This paper constructs a theoretical framework that aids in evaluating people’s subjective utility of telemedicine, empirically tests the factors related to utility assessment, and employs relevant factors to compute the [...]
Who Uses Telemedicine, Believers or Disbelievers of Covid-19 ?
who_uses_telemedicine_v3_2_2021 This paper empirically explores the assertion that stronger is a patient’s belief about the threats of Covid-19, the higher is the probability of her use of telemedicine.
Consumer Awareness of Telemedicine During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Demographic Influences
telemedicine_awareness_v3_1 This paper set out to address two questions about telemedicine: (i) to what extent did awareness about telemedicine change during the Covid-19 pandemic and (ii) is awareness related to the demographics of the population. [...]
Some Empirical Aspects of Manufacturing Sector During the Covid-19 Pandemic
RRR_Jan2021_Feb12 Did Covid-19 shutter proportionally more small businesses (including manufacturing businesses) in the metro or the nonmetro? How do rural manufacturers in Illinois adapt to and cope with the threats of Covid-19? Is variability in [...]
Segments of Metro and Nonmetro Population that are Prone to Severe Illness from Covid-19: Insights for Policy ( Appendix 1)
Segments-of-Metro-and-Nonmetro-Population-that-are-Prone-to-Severe-Illness-from-Covid-19_v2_15 This research empirically demonstrates the positive relationship between severe illness from Covid-19 and preexisting medical conditions. Two sets of data are used to gain insights into population that are vulnerable to severe Covid-19 infection: [...]
Trade-Affected Workers in Illinois: Insights from Trade Adjustment Petitions,1975-2020
TAA_Research-Brief14_2020 What are the TAA numbers for Illinois? How have they changed since the inception of the program in 1975? Employees from which industry and from which geography (metro / nonmetro county) accounts for the [...]
WARN Applications in Illinois During the Covid-19 Pandemic: July 2020 to September 2020
WARN_Covid-19_Research-Brief-October-25-2020 In this paper, the number of WARN notifications in Illinois during the third quarter of 2020 (July-September time period) is presented and compared with WARN numbers during the 3 rd quarter of 2019, pre-Covid-19 [...]
Differential Growth of Covid-19 in Illinois Counties: A Quantitative Assessment Using the Shift Method
Covid-19_Research-Brief_differential-growth-illinois-counties-quantitative-assessment-12_June162020 This paper was designed to alert economic development practitioners about pitfalls in comparing communities’ Covid-19 cases using absolute and/or relative measures of change; the net shift method is recommended for such comparisons. Net shift [...]
Covid-19 Information on County Health Department Websites: The Case of Rural Illinois
Covid-19-Information-on-County-Health-Department-Websites_May-2020 It has been almost three months since the first case of Covid-19 appeared in Cumberland County. Since then the number of cases in rural Illinois has grown at the rate of 5% per day, [...]
Empirical Analysis of Data from Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) for April 2020: A Report on the Status of Illinois Counties During the Covid-19 Pandemic
WARN_Covid_Policy_Brief-vol-2_10 This paper is an update to the March 2020 WARN filings reported in the Research Brief, Vol. 2 (4) . During April 2020, Covid-19 induced plant closings cost Illinoisans 5,575 jobs, 55% of the [...]
The Economic Impact of Covid-19 on Illinois Counties
Economic-Impact-of-Covid-19-on-Illinois-Counties-ResBrief9_May-4-2020 The economic impact of Covid-19 is being felt by Illinoisans in a variety of ways, from layoffs and furloughs to price hikes in essentials such as grocery products. 2 It has also changed the [...]
Covid-19 in Illinois Counties: Effectiveness of Mitigation Effects
Covid-19-Mitigation-Effects_Policy_Brief This paper addresses the question, how effective is the state’s mitigation effort in arresting the spread of Covid-19 in Illinois counties. To address this question, we use county data on number of Covid-19 cases; [...]
Illinoisans’ Perceptions about their State Government, Economy, and Healthcare During the Covid-19 Pandemic
IL_Perceptions_During_Covid_Policy_Brief The Covid-19 pandemic has almost stopped social and economic activities in Illinois; the IMF predicts 3% contraction in the global economy, a much larger impact than the 2008-2009 great recession 2 . In earlier [...]
Covid-19 in Rural Illinois Counties: Disease Progression, and Health Care System Correlates
Tracking_Covid_Policy_Brief The Covid-19 outbreak is likely to grow, mature, and decline. Governments at all levels should aim to (1) FLATTEN the growth curve, and (2) collectively FIGHT the virus, to preserve public health, and reopen [...]
Data Update for the Paper: Twitter Conversations about SARS-Cov-2: What is Going on Out There in Illinois?
Data-Update-for-Research-Brief-25 This report provides information about Covid-19 in Illinois counties as at April 11, 2020. The report should be read together with the Research Brief, Vol. 2, No. 5 (2020, April 7), hereon labeled the [...]
Twitter Conversations about SARS-Cov-2: What is Going on Out There in Illinois?
Twitter-Conversations-about-SARS-Cov-2_April-2020 We study Twitter conversations among Illinoisans about Coronavirus through the systematic analysis of tweets collected during March 21, 2020 through April 5, 2020, the first two weeks of stay-at-home order issued by Governor J. [...]
The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Plant Closings and Mass Layoffs: The Case of Illinois Counties
The-Impact-of-SARS-CoV-2-on-Plant-Closings-and-Mass-Layoffs-The-Case-of-Illinois-Counties The SARS-CoV-2 virus, commonly called Corona virus, is inflicting a heavy toll on the world economies; the International Monetary Fund predicts a global downturn at least as bad as the 2008 financial crisis 2 [...]
The Effect of Pharmaceuticals’ Trade Promotions to Medical Professionals in Illinois Counties: Some Research Findings on Opioid Prescriptions
The-Effect-of-Trade-Promotion_Opioid_March25_20 This paper shows that the target market for opioids are women, and people with less than a college education. It also lists the number of chronic pain sufferers in Illinois, county-wise. The market share [...]
Opioid Use Disorder in the Nonmetro Regions: Some Basic Facts from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
Opiod_2020 This paper highlights opioid misuse behavior among rural or nonmetro residents using micro data from the recently released 2018 NSDUH. Compared to the urban population, rural residents are 87% more likely to be prescribed [...]
Implementing Community Economic Development: Normative Prescriptions, with Applications to Rural Illinois
EDImplementation_Jan2020-1 Economic development strategies at the county level focus on Creation, Attraction, Retention and Expansion (CARE) of businesses. For business attraction, it is essential that a county highlights the region’s quality of life and economic [...]
Dollar Stores in Illinois: Trading Areas, Consumer Behavior, and Impacts on Commercial Structure and Incumbent Retailers
The structure of the US retail sector is changing, the exit or closing rate of US malls has tripled in the last few years and the 25% of the remaining malls are expected to close [...]
CNN Business – Dollar Stores are Everywhere
July 19, 2019. “In rural places without existing grocery stores, having a Dollar General might be viewed as an asset,” said Christopher Merrett, director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. [...]
The Opioid Epidemic and its Impact on Labor Productivity in Illinois
Illinois’ labor force is shrinking at the rate of .24% per annum. Opioid-involved drug overdoses are contributing to this poor state of labor force, on average drug overdoses account for 17.2 deaths per 100,000 Illinoisans. [...]
Living Wage Calculator for Illinois Counties
The living wage calculator is calibrated on consumer expenditure data sourced from both public and private agencies. Major sources of data are BLS, HUD, and USDA. The calculator models living wages for households with members [...]
Sustainable Economic Development Indices (SEDI) for Illinois Counties
This paper addresses the question, “how effective are Illinois counties in converting wealth (GDP) into wellbeing of residents”. To address this question, a multi-item measure of wellbeing (SEDI) was constructed using publicly available data. Based [...]
Determinants of Sustainability and Human Capital
Knowledge and skills of a person are called ‘human capital’. A person’s stock of human capital is determined by her time-use choices. Based on the reasoning that policymakers must first learn what persons are already [...]
Cultural Capital in Illinois: A County-Wise Analysis
This paper is driven by the idea that cultural capital contributes to wellbeing. Empirical analysis of cultural capital suggests that children in Illinois are missing opportunities for cultural development;their caregivers spend very little time in [...]
Social Capital Manifestations in Illinois Counties: An Empirical Assessment
Social capital refers to acts of cooperation between two or more individuals or groups. While cultural capital is embodied in persons, social capital exists in relations among persons. The economic benefit of social capital is [...]
Economic Capital of Illinois: An Empirical Analysis
This paper explores the contributions of market economy to sustainable development using the ‘capability theory’ framework. The operational (production of goods and services) and dynamic (innovation) capabilities of firms promote well being in communities, but [...]
Natural Capital as an Economic Public Product: An Empirical Analysis of Illinois Counties
This paper addresses the question, “how do Illinois counties rank in terms of investments in natural capital”. A statistical modeling of county capability suggests that metro counties not only invest in natural capital, but also [...]
Thirty Years of IIRA’s Rural Research Reports: A Thematic Analysis
This paper employs a machine-learning algorithm to analyze the words of all the Rural Research Reports published since 1990 to discover the themes that run through them. The results are then built into an interactive [...]
Determinants of Economic Growth in Illinois: An Empirical Analysis
This paper presents growth-accounting results for Illinois. It is shown that growth in GDP is mainly driven by labor and capital. The role of technology in GDP growth is minimal or none. IL-Growth_2019_v1_2
Economic Development Strategy for the Greater Peoria Region, Illinois: Insights from Growth Accounting and Decision Theory
This paper highlights strategies for establishing and maintaining a robust economic ecosystem in the Greater Peoria region. The strategic advantage of the region is deduced from an empirical analysis of the region’s national accounts and [...]
A Microanalysis of Carpooling in Rural Illinois
The concept of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) has long been an attraction for policymakers wanting to minimize greenhouse gas emissions (cf. the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, 1991 (Jaskevich 2001)). Since carpooling reduces the number of [...]
Entrepreneurial Intensity
A common prescription for community economic development is to stimulate entrepreneurship (Audretsch 2007; Herman, 2018). This prescription is largely derived from global data that shows positive correlations between the entrepreneurial activity of nations and their [...]