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A recent Illinois Policy Institute poll finds 52% of taxpayers,
or roughly twice as many that point to the economy, now list
high taxes as their top issue.
In Chicago, things appear much the same, with 35% of voters also
ranking high taxes as their primary concern. Ugaste, R-Geneva,
warns such sentiments could mean more people leaving the state
for lower taxed states.
“A recent study showed we are expected to lose 1 million people
between now and the year 2050, more than any other state in the
country,” Ugaste told The Center Square. “It doesn't bode well
for us because the more people leave, the higher the taxes are
going to be on those who stay because the costs just never go
down.”
Ugaste said lawmakers recently approved new taxes to keep
Chicago public transit on schedule making matters harder for
already cash-strapped taxpayers. At the same time, Chicago Mayor
Brandon Johnson is pushing new taxes on everything from
streaming and Uber services to sports betting.
“Nothing's being done to address the issues,” he said. “As a
matter of fact, we just had a veto session … and it actually
cost the people of the state of Illinois almost $11 billion.
While I believe we needed mass transit and needed to keep it
running in the state I certainly would not have gone with that.”
Through it all, Ugaste, who has filed several bills seeking to
enact tax reforms, vows to continue his crusade.
“Keep filing bills, keep bringing it to the public's attention,
showing them the way they can improve the situation, keep
talking to people on the other side to get them to understand
that this is going to be a problem that will eventually collapse
on itself,” he said. “It's getting harder and harder for
everyone to stay in the state, and I know so many people that
already have plans to leave.”
Over the last five years, census data shows Illinois has lost
420,678 residents to other states and before 2024, 128,034 have
left Chicago, leaving the city with its lowest population in at
least a century.
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