Report: Illinois loses people and jobs due to high taxes

ROCKFORD, Illinois (WTVO) – High taxes are the main reason residents are leaving Illinois and hampering the state’s job growth, according to a new report.

of report Since 2019, Illinois has lost 70,000 jobs and ranks 10th worst in the nation for job growth, according to Wirepoints research.

In the last U.S. Census, 110,127 people left the state From July 2021 to July 2022.

“Illinois eventually lost its seat because its population stagnated,” said John Simon, professor of accounting at the university. Northern Illinois Universityteaches about the census.

The number of legislators in the state decreased from 18 to 17.

The declining population has created a booming market for junk removers like Junk Removal Dews, which cleans up unwanted items in DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, and Cook counties. Owner Alex Bloches told CBS News that what started as a side business has grown to 15 to 20 restaurants a day.

Broches said customers often cite high state taxes as a reason to move.

“As you know, taxes here in Illinois are crazy,” said customer Kelly Smaltz. “Perhaps 10 of our group are leaving Illinois or have already left, simply because tax-wise, Illinois is a very difficult place to live.”

The state’s unemployment rate was 4.2% in April, worse than neighboring Indiana, Iowa and Missouri, which each have about 3% or less.

Major employers such as Stellantis, Caterpillar, Boeing, Tyson and Guggenheim Investments Citadel some people quoted and left the state high crime rate and taxes.

At this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Pritzker said: denied those claimssaid the state was attracting companies like Kellogg’s to Chicago.

Wirepoint President Ted Dubrowski said: center square Multiple factors are contributing to the decline in Illinois’ population and jobs.

“We will never get the most jobs for as long as we have. highest property tax in the country. As long as we have, there will never be more work. second highest gas tax in the country. If we have the largest pension debt in the country, employment will never grow, and if house values ​​continue to fall relative to the rest of the country, employment will never grow,” he said.

according to 2021 surveyPresident Pritzker’s order during the COVID-19 pandemic closed “non-essential” businesses such as restaurants, bars and certain retail stores, resulting in the permanent closure of 35% of small businesses in Illinois.

Illinois then passed $580 million Business interruption subsidy system Directed federal COVID-19 relief funds to affected businesses, then extended SNAP benefits, along with gas and food tax freezes, as post-pandemic inflation rose to record highs Announced.

The state is also grappling with perceptions of illegality regarding its population surge. retail crime, shooting incidentand car theft.

The National Insurance Crime Service reported that there was a case in Illinois. increase in car theft More than any other state by 2022.

CNBC hosts also asked Pritzker about the state’s new policy at the Davos meeting. Safety, Accountability, Fairness, Impartiality – Laws Today (SAFE-T Act), which abolishes cash bail under the Pretrial Fairness Act, is a factor in rising crime rates.

Pritzker replied that the policy “doesn’t just mean leaving the prison door open.”

The SAFE-T Act was introduced by the Illinois Black Caucus as part of the black lawmakers’ response to the murder of George Floyd, which includes reforming the rights of prisoners and other detainees. Other reforms Law enforcement agencies must meet to meet the country’s funding requirements.

Many Law Enforcement Agencies in Illinois warned This act will encourage criminals and make it harder for police to crack down. keep criminals off the streets.

“Slap-and-grab” theft in retail stores is also a problem for companies seeking to do business in Illinois.

the latest walgreens Refurbished store in downtown Chicago To discourage rampant shoplifting, most items are locked behind counters and can only be ordered via kiosks.

“Slamming robberies” have become a problem at shopping malls and jewelry stores all over the country. Including Rockford.

Last year, Mr. Pritzker signed into law the INFORM Act, a retail theft crime bill aimed at leveraging heavier penalties for offenders involved in retail crime.

Many retailers have expressed concern that the theft has made it difficult for them to cover their operating costs.

Last month, the Chicago Police Department asked the store to: Install an unbreakable glass shield It covered the existing windows and informed management that there weren’t enough police officers to deal with the escalating crime.

From 2019 onwards, CBS NewsAccording to a report, about 3,300 Chicago Police Department officers retired, resigned, or were fired, and only 1,600 were hired.

Officers cited fatigue and lack of support from civil servants as reasons for their resignations.