All but two states—Illinois and West Virginia—gained residents over the past decade, even as population growth nationally continued to slow.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker claims his progressive income tax will only affect the rich. But Illinoisans making as little as $26,100 would see an income tax hike under rates Pritzker cited in his budget address.

The struggles of Elmira and Danville exemplify the plight of fading factory towns in rural areas that are losing population and can’t rely on other economic pillars to cushion the blow.

Pritzker’s budget avoids all the hard fiscal choices that the state must make.