Due to poor public policy, Illinois now has the highest effective property tax rate in the nation. We must reverse course and craft policies that keep families and businesses here in Illinois because our state continues to see people flee to neighboring states to save money.
But during the budget address, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle support cutting tax revenues from local governments which will likely lead to even higher property taxes. Many of the people affected by historic property tax increases are in lower-income communities, such as East St. Louis. These people deserve relief.
“The typical Illinois homeowner now pays roughly $5,055 in property taxes, more than double the national average,” said Representative Kevin Schmidt. “These high tax rates place an unfair burden on Illinois families who are already contending with the rising costs of essentials. We need to do more to provide relief for our residents so they can thrive here in Illinois.”
House Republicans have brought forth dozens of bills aimed squarely at attacking the property tax problems in Illinois, but the majority party refuses to acknowledge them. Sadly, the likely outcome is more of the same – politics over policy, and rhetoric over solutions.
Governor Pritzker’s Tax Hikes Are Crushing Working Families
Despite the governor’s claim that he has “lowered taxes on working-class people in this state,” the facts tell a very different story.
- Just last week, WalletHub ranked Illinois number one for the highest tax rates in the country, a staggering 53% above the national average.
- According to the Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois residents are paying an average of $1,434 more per person in taxes than before Governor Pritzker took office.
- Compared to 2019, Illinois now collects $18 billion more from taxpayers, a 51% increase.
- Since taking office, Governor Pritzker has enacted at least 49 tax and fee hikes on Illinois families and businesses.