freedomrankings.comState vs State
On the default equal-weight blend, Illinois is more free than Kentucky overall, scoring 50.3 to 47.6 out of 100 and winning 4 of the ten freedom categories outright. The widest gap is in Criminal Justice, where Illinois leads by 5.8 points.
The sharpest contrast is Criminal Justice, where Illinois leads 8.0 to 2.2 out of 10 — a 5.8-point gap. They also part ways on 2nd Amendment (Kentucky +5.5) and Education Choice (Illinois +4.5). Where they’re most alike is Property Rights (5.0 vs 5.0).
Bottom line: Illinois’s strongest case is Drug Policy (9.5/10), while Kentucky’s is Religious Liberty (8.0/10) — so the freer choice depends on which of those you weight most.
Illinois leads in 4 categories · Kentucky leads in 4 · 2 tied
Illinois ranks higher overall, scoring 50.3/100 versus 47.6/100 across the ten freedom categories. Illinois wins 4 of the ten categories outright. Which state is "freer" for you depends on which of those freedoms you weight most.
Kentucky scores higher on economic freedom (2.7/10 vs 2.0/10), the category that folds in tax burden, regulation, and business climate.
Kentucky scores higher on Second Amendment freedom (7.3/10 vs 1.8/10), reflecting carry laws, permitting, and firearm restrictions.
Illinois scores higher on education choice (6.0/10 vs 1.5/10), covering vouchers, ESAs, charters, and homeschool freedom.