(The Center Square) – Illinois House Republicans say several measures to address Illinois’ high tax burden are not advancing through the General Assembly.
Republicans have introduced a package of bills to address the tax burden, including reforming the state’s estate tax, and lowering or eliminating licensing fees for small businesses.
“Illinoisans know well that we shoulder the highest overall tax burden of any state in the nation,” said state Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore. “That crushing tax burden has been driving families, seniors and businesses out of our state for years.”
A recent study placed Illinois last in the country for taxation, coming in at 51st for overall effective state and local tax rate, 50th for real estate taxes, and 47th for income taxes.
“With tax day right around the corner, Illinois families are feeling the strain of a bloated tax burden and a poor job market,” said state Rep. Jackie Haas, R-Kankakee. “Hardworking men and women are the ones who will suffer the most if we don’t get our house in order and start focusing on passing good public policy to make it easier to live in Illinois.”
At 1.95%, the average property tax rate in Illinois is the second highest in the country, according to the Tax Foundation. Property taxes vary by municipality, but northeastern Illinois, including Chicago, has significantly higher property taxes than the rest of the state. Lake County has the highest median property taxes paid at $8,609, according to 2022 data from the Tax Foundation, while Pulaski County near the Kentucky border has the lowest at $694.
State Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, takes issue with the priorities of the Pritzker administration, such as the spending on undocumented immigrants.
“We’ll spend billions of Illinois taxpayer dollars on people who are not residents of Illinois to give them free health care,” said Sosnowski. “No premiums, no co-pays, no cost out of pocket whatsoever.”
The 104th General Assembly continues through the end of May.
