By: Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
We’ve written in detail about the many laws signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker that will lead to higher property taxes. A list of cost hikes, which we include below, includes end-of-year salary spiking for teachers, increased striking power for the Chicago Teachers Union and bigger Tier 2 benefits for public safety workers.
So it’s not surprising that Illinois has retaken the top spot for the nation’s highest effective property taxes. According to ATTOM, a leading curator of real estate data nationwide for land and property data, Illinois’ effective tax rate was 1.86% in 2021, followed by New Jersey at 1.73%. Last year ATTOM ranked Illinois 2nd-highest, just behind New Jersey.
More than two years ago, Pritzker promised a task force would reform and lower property taxes and cut Illinois’ 7,000 units of government. The Governor complained about the fact that local governments automatically hike tax levies year after year and lamented the fact that Illinoisans are burdened by more local governments than any other state.
Listen to his own words in the video below:
Pritzker’s commission was a flop. After blowing past its initial due date, the commission released a final report that ended up a hodgepodge of half-baked ideas and no firm solutions.
In the meantime, the governor and the lawmakers supporting his agenda have been busy passing legislation that will only serve to drive all Illinois taxes, including property taxes, even higher. The list of cost hikes below is just a sample:
- Granting additional sick leave benefits to teachers. Teachers got additional sick days off for Covid, in addition to the 12 to 15 paid sick days a year they already receive. Most unused sick days can be accumulated and turned in for bigger pensions.
- Hiking the pension benefits of Chicago firefighters. A group of Chicago firefighters had their annual cost-of-living benefits boosted to 3 percent compounded, up from 1.5 percent simple.
- Granting the Chicago Teachers Union additional bargaining powers. Chicago Teachers were given even more powers over which they can now strike – the same powers that let them strike in 1969 1971, 1973, 1975, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1987, and allowed them to threaten strikes eight other times.
- Making Tier 2 benefits for local public safety more expensive. Tier 2 benefits for downstate police and fire retirees were sweetened. Costs were estimated at some $70 to $95 million over the first five years.
- Restoring 6 percent salary spiking for Illinois teachers. Pritzker lifted caps on end-of-career salary hikes for teachers back up to 6 percent from 3 percent, driving up pension costs.
- Using taxpayer dollars to picking winners and losers in the EV industry. Illinois’ political elite are choosing which players in the electric vehicle industry get subsidies and tax breaks at the expense of other industries and taxpayers.
- Granting an expensive new contract to state AFSCME workers. AFSCME workers got expensive, multi-year raises and new benefits from their latest state contract, pushing up their guaranteed pensions. Working-class Illinoisans with no such contracts or guarantees have to pay for those pay and benefit increases.
- Expanding costs in healthcare by unionizing new workers. A new class of public community health workers was created, increasing Medicaid costs.
- Expanding Medicaid coverage to illegal immigrants. Illinois became the first state to extend public health insurance to all low-income noncitizen seniors, even if they’re in the country illegally. Initially, it comes at an approximate cost of $50 million a year.
- Pushing a massive transformation of Illinois energy sector with incentives and subsidies. Lawmakers demanded Illinois go fully green by 2050, shut down coal and natural gas plants and provided millions in subsidies to nuke plants and green industries. Nobody knows the true costs of these massive changes.
- And biggest of all, pushing a new amendment that would cement union powers into the state constitution. The Labor reforms that Illinois needs to lower taxes will be blocked if Illinoisans vote for Amendment 1 this November.
Illinois’ property taxes, along with sales and income taxes and the nation’s 2nd-highest gas taxes, all add up. According to the Tax Foundation, Illinoisans now pay the nation’s 7th-highest total state and local taxes.
ATTOM and the Tax Foundations’ latest rankings are further proof that Illinoisans need real tax relief, not just the tiny election-year breaks the Pritzker administration is selling. Until we get structural pension reform and a roll back in the bargaining powers of Illinois’ public sector unions, expect tax rates to go higher and even more Illinoisans to flee.
Read more from Wirepoints:
- Secret union contract negotiations trample on Illinois taxpayers and parents’ rights
- Nine things Gov. Pritzker didn’t tell you about Illinois’ 2023 budget
- Current Progressive Agenda Is Relieving Harm From Past Progressive Agendas
- Illinois needs a multiyear restructuring plan to stop residents from fleeing
- Four reasons why the state pension buyout program is problematic for taxpayers
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.
The premise of this information isn’t correct. The reason Illinois pays such high property taxes is because we’re paying over and over again for state pension benefits that have already been funded. The problem is that State legislators haven’t used this funding entirely for the purpose which it was collected. Teachers paid their portion for retirement and school districts paid their portion, but much of this funding wasn’t actually allocated to the pension system; instead, it was used for other purposes – construction, debt service fees, etc. This unfunded liability accumulated and is now up to $140B. Worse, the way… Read more »
Yes, you’re right, and apparently that later re-appropriation for another purpose is entirely legal. In what other consumer-based world can a “customer” be charged for something yet the funds so obtained then can be used for another purpose with such abandon and repeatedly so? Even more insulting, more is forever due and charged in increasing amounts to that same customer for that same original purpose! We truly live in Bizarro World!
And the Illinois voters vote for it to continue on
Whats the big deal?
What’s most egregious from the list of legislation in article JB signed off on and so many more are the bills like teachers paid covid sick days, hiking pension benefits for Chicago firefighters, restoring 6% salary spiking for teachers, etc that the state offers ZERO funding for and have ZERO idea what it will cost for local municipalities or school district to pay for. It’s taxation imposed on local municipalities on behalf of are public sec heroes in the crazy 7,000 units of government that the local taxpayer/ property owners have ZERO say in. Just bend over and take it/… Read more »
Simple solution: Move to Indiana.
Otherwise quit complaining.
Strong “”Leadership-Less”” in tough times! To be sure! I really detest this fat slob, never had a job, Platinum Spoon fool. Heck, Grandpa stuck him in politics because he was to incompetent to run a hotel.
Its very disturbing to constantly read about all the horrible things the Illinois politicians,and not just the dems,are doing to Illinois,whats even more disturbing is our Winnie the Pooh looking governor will probably get re-elected,ZERO hope for this state and ALL the blame lies with the Illinois electorate
I ran from Frankfort after my house was sold last November. The property tax increased to over $12K from my $10K. IRS permitted only a $10K deduction even though I payed $20K in property taxes. Born and raised in ghettos of S Chicago, now retired in Simpsonville SC, Property tax is $2.6K, no multiculturalism, English only, Fundamentalist churches all around, and 3 gun shops with 2 miles of home. I cannot be happier!
So far, I’m also good in Tennessee. After a lifetime in Illinois, it was different not needing to file a state tax return, but I’m not complaining. Also, the 200% drop in real estate taxes was sweet.
My tax savings and other savings like my car insurance being 1/3 of what it was in Illinois totally funds my healthcare in retirement in North Carolina. And I get to look at mountains from every window in my house, including the garage.
Moved to North Texas (DFW Area) in 2022. It’s such a huge difference in so many areas. Overall quality of life and freedom is the normal way they go about their business here. Every area I could mention is a massive improvement when comparing Illinois. Too much to mention. Started paying larger tax amounts for houses in the city almost hitting $11K a year. That was 2016. Then moved to Northbrook for better schools. Turned out to be a good idea but the uber woke crowd is just unbearable. Its also insanely expensive. Taxes for the house were 12-15K a… Read more »
Love SC, North Augusta. 1.6 K property taxes. Augusta area booming, basically 100% employment. Can’t build homes fast enough. Only downside, hard to hire someone for small jobs, like painting, small home improvements, because everyone is so darn busy. And government is so much more responsive to citizens. Know more neighbors now than in 30 years in IL because people are more friendly and respectful.
I also know more neighbors than I did in Illinois. I get along well with the local Southerners, who have a great sense of independence and self reliance. The local Northern transplants all have something in common, too. We hated that where we all lived changed for the worse, and we did something about it, so there’s a shared sense of adventure between all of us.
Vote Democrat party did you?
Wait a minute! Pritzkers reelection TV ads say that he has fixed Illinois’ economy! Did he fix it by creating the highest real estate taxes in the country? Yes I am being sarcastic.
“”Strong leadership, in tough times!”” My azz.
If you have hope Illinois can still be saved, you haven’t paid attention. At best, the next election will result in state government gridlock, which means the current laws and policies will continue. The end result has already been determined and it isn’t good.
I wish Illinois homeowners would simply do the math. Here is the math for the Illinois home I recently sold after 28 years. (Original purchase price = $165,000)
Appreciation = 2.2% per year avg
U.S. Inflation = 2.5% per year avg
RE Tax = 2.7% per year avg
My Mortgage Rate = 4.8% per year avg (refinanced twice)
FYI:
Stock Market = 11% per year avg (roughly)
On second thought, maybe Illinois homeowners shouldn’t do the math. They may decide to put a gun to their head.
Woodstock IL illustrates the effect of high property tax RATES on home values. P-TAX RATES in Woodstock have ranged 3.5%-4.8% of fair market value for over a decade. (By contrast, In America, P-TAX RATES average around 1%. In Chicago, around 2%. Both America and Woodstock are required to provide schools, roads, fire&rescue, libraries, local government, etc., but in America, spending on these services is restricted to being within the means of its taxed community. This is evidenced by the tax RATE: RATE is a ratio of spending-relative-to-means-of-the-community. Woodstock is an outlier in choosing to spend beyond the means of its… Read more »
It’s even worse in Southern Cook. We have a handful of municipalities that do not have their own fire and police departments because they cannot afford to keep them up.
Pritzker is a fraud. The fact that he’s not done something about the many layers of government we have in Illinois is criminal. We have more school districts than many much larger states.
The TIF rules have been used and abused to subsidize pet projects and cronies and have shifted more of the tax burden to home owners.
Anyone who votes for any Illinois incumbent is crazy.
The more layers of government, the better for Democrats. That’s why there’s no push to consolidate government districts.
“In 2013 Florida had 2,692,162 students enrolled in a total of 4,269 schools in 76 school districts.”
“In 2013 Illinois had 2,072,880 students enrolled in a total of 4,266 schools in 1,070 school districts.”
https://ballotpedia.org/Public_education_in_Illinois
https://ballotpedia.org/Public_education_in_Florida