Illinois’ shrinking tax base: Residents are leaving and taking their incomes with them (Part 1)

By: Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner

There’s perhaps no indicator more damning of a state’s failure to govern than the flight of its residents to other states.

People of every stripe are leaving Illinois. Old and young, rich and poor. They are going to warm states and cold states, big states and small states. Overall, Illinois netted losses of residents to 43 other states in 2016.

That has major implications for the state and the Illinoisans who remain. A shrinking population means a future with less economic growth, less investment, falling real estate values and an eroded tax base. And as people leave, fewer residents will be left to pay down the state’s growing debts, meaning the already massive burden will only gets worse.

Illinois has netted a loss of 1.5 million people to other states since 2000, based on U.S. Census data. And as international immigration and births in Illinois have declined in recent years, they’re failing to make up for Illinois net outmigration. As a result, the state’s population has shrunk five years in a row. Wirepoints analysed the results of the census data in our report: Illinois’ Demographic Collapse

The following multi-part series will reveal just who is leaving, where they are going and what incomes they’re taking with them.

Wirepoints’ analysis uses national state-by-state migration data compiled by the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS reviews tax returns annually to track when and where people move. It also aggregates the ages, income brackets and adjusted gross incomes of filers. 

In this first piece, we’ll cover Illinois’ net loss of tax filers and their incomes to other states since 2000. 

********

Losing people and their incomes 

Illinois is a national outlier when it comes to losing residents and their taxable income to other states.

In 2016, IRS data shows Illinois gained nearly 165,000 people from other states and they brought with them a combined Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of about $6.3 billion. Meanwhile, more than 250,000 Illinoisans left the state and they took more than $11 billion with them.

That means Illinois suffered a net loss of about 86,000 residents and a loss of $4.8 billion in taxable income – the equivalent of more than $100 million in state income tax revenues.

And that doesn’t include the additional loss in sales, property and other taxes those residents no longer pay.

Illinois has lost tax filers and taxable income, on net, every year since 2000. Between 2000 and 2010, the state averaged net losses of about $1.8 billion in taxable income each year. Since then, the state’s losses have accelerated by about $500 million a year, growing to $4.8 billion by 2016.

The problem isn’t just that more people are leaving than coming into Illinois. It’s also that those who leave, on average, earn more than those moving in. That too is draining the state’s tax base.

In 2016, the average taxable income of people leaving Illinois was in excess of $81,000. The taxable income of those coming from other states was just over $67,000.

So not only did Illinois lose a net 86,000 people and their AGI, but it also lost an average of $14,000 in AGI for every person that moved into Illinois in 2016.

Illinois the outlier

How did Illinois rank nationally for loss of AGI? We’ll take that up in our next piece, but for now we’ll share how Illinois stacks up on a per capita basis.

Take Illinois’ $4.8 billion AGI loss divided by the state’s 12.8 million people and Illinois lost $371 in income per person in 2016. Only 5 states lost more AGI per capita, including Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.

In contrast, states that are winning people saw their tax base grow. Florida gained more than $800 in AGI per capita in 2016. Idaho and South Carolina, more than $400.

Illinois out-migration situation is dismal. And the problem becomes even more stark when you look at the state’s record nationally over time. That’s the subject of Part 2: Loss in income is one of nation’s worst.

For more on Illinois’ out-migration crisis, read:

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Roman
4 years ago

I am moving to Tennessee. Sick of politics and Taxes.

mike Williams
4 years ago
Reply to  Roman

Good Idea.

Wally O'Brien
4 years ago

I have lived in Kane county for 30 years. – Sears tax deal cost D300 14 million PER YEAR. They’re now in default. Republicans passed this deal. – Walmart moved less than 10 miles because their tax deal ran out, so they moved to Carpentersville. Another republican deal. Don’t know how much those two deals cost D300. Have no idea how many other tax free deals have gone through. Republicans complain that the problem is the Democrats and Springfield. Some time compare your income taxes to your property taxes. We’re out of here next year. As an aside, real estate… Read more »

Freddy
4 years ago
Reply to  Wally O'Brien

Same garbage here in Rockford. When the Lowe’s warehouse opened here some years ago it was valued at approx $46M they received about $13 Mil in abatement’s. Then the value dropped in half to about $26Mil over a few years. When it was their turn to pay it was about 50% less in tax’s. People did not know that the abatement savings were transferred to all other taxpayers in the form of higher tax rates compliments of being a PTELL county. If you want to check the property ID# is 1133301007 on the Winnebago County Assessor website and see sales… Read more »

Willowglen
4 years ago
Reply to  Wally O'Brien

Wally – your post confuses me. I have no doubt Republicans passed ill advised crony capitalism deals re local taxes. And the way forward is not to continue to do them (fat chance of that happening). There would be far less need to do such deals if Illinois were friendly to business in terms of taxes and regulations. Of course, this gets dismissed as mere conservative pablum, but business in Illinois is both leaving and not establishing businesses. Moreover, given the pension burden so many municipalities have, with benefit levels set by the State, query how much local control municipalities… Read more »

Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  Wally O'Brien

Just don’t vote With the DemocRATS party when you move! Illinois has been controlled by them for at least 30 years. The DemocRATS is no longer the same party as your Father or Grandfather. They were once for Union workers and the middle class. We didn’t charge – the party did! That’s why I’m moving to a red state! I have five years and I can retire. Believe me I’m gone!

mark fair
4 years ago
Reply to  Wally O'Brien

Wally, Sears tax deal cost $0.00, as they would never have located there if they
would have had to pay your confiscatory full tax rate to begin with.
You vote? Vote for somebody that will drop the tax rate to whatever
Sears paid, after they deducted the 14 million from their taxes, and
you will have business’s returning, relocating, and expanding, as in
other states.
If your voting with your feet, please don’t change wherever you move to into
another d300

Drmichael
4 years ago
Reply to  Wally O'Brien

Well said. Republicans have caused the issue and, as usual, they’re trying to shift blame in a patently obvious and disingenuous manner that is obvious to all but the ignorant and uneducated.

debtsor
4 years ago
Reply to  Drmichael

Not well said, not at all.

EX-IL Resident
4 years ago

We bolted last year to Colorado before Tubby was elected. The best decision we have ever made. Plenty of IL people here already and growing by the day. The prop tax savings alone pay for private school…. not to mention the quality of life and weather are light years better than IL. The unions will never ever allow any impairment to their “promised” BS scam. The judges and politicians don’t give a F about the tax paying residents . They will continue to tax and tax until literally no one left to pay the pensions. Also to the person that… Read more »

Rick
4 years ago

A constitutional change won’t do a darn thing to reverse trends. But people losing money will. Bondholders, homeowners, companies they all need to feel pain and lighter wallets. You see All this is operating on debt. Things will only change as each individual family is compelled by force of law or the silently inflicted loss of property beyond their comfort zone. The down population trend has no opposite force wprking against it. Wealthy homes will be sold at bargains they know when and can recover from a cutting losses move,. Homes on the edge will simply be abandoned or foreclosed… Read more »

DantheMan
4 years ago
Reply to  Rick

Rick, you wrote, “A constitutional change won’t do a darn thing to reverse trends.” That is also my contention. Liberal/Progressives will continue to vote the same and they appear to be the majority in Illinois. The growing debt is a symptom of that root cause. To fix a problem you must eliminate the root cause. The root cause is liberal/progressive values. The only way I know to eliminate liberal/progressive values is through education, which is why Illinois situation is so depressing. Public schools increasingly push liberal/progressive values as does most of the media. This is why I see no hope… Read more »

DantheMan
4 years ago

Ted, John, and Mark, by reading the comments here and those associated with other articles, you seem to be in the minority of opinion on your own web site. You appear to still have hope while most commenters do not. Since you are the researchers, content experts, and respected by us, I have to ask myself, “Are commenters like myself overreacting?” For myself and others, following Illinois news is a hobby, or possibly just a way to pass the time. For you however, I assume it’s a part time (or full time) job. You often refer to a constitutional amendment… Read more »

James
4 years ago
Reply to  DantheMan

Great question! There are zealots on each side of these issues; let’s hear from those we hope to be more subjective. Who else should be asked outside this immediate forum? Think about that.

debtsor
4 years ago
Reply to  James

The only zealots are the loudest and most arrogant twitter progressives that have taken over the state. These people are insane, they have no interest in fixing the financial situation; they only care to impose their progressive twitter values on the state, and then lie to us and say that the entire state agrees with it.

James
4 years ago
Reply to  debtsor

So sayeth yet another dispassionate, objective, disinterested party having no ax to grind to my inquiry.

debtsor
4 years ago
Reply to  James

Is there anything not factual about my comment (other than calling them insane, which is opinion)? Have they shown any interest in fixing the financial situation? No! They only want to have a progressive tax to pay for more things. That’s not fixing anything. Have they done anything other than impose progressive twitter values on the state? No! Jabba said we would be the most progressive state in the union if he were gov. Has the Dems in charge been lying to us and saying that everyone in the state agrees? Sure they have! They call us racists and xenophobes,… Read more »

James
4 years ago
Reply to  debtsor

You are entitled to your opinion, and I didn’t suggest otherwise. However, you are none of those three qualities I was hoping to find in a commentator: dispassionate, objective and disinterested. You see these issues through a filtering process weeding out other ways of looking at them and selecting ways that appeal to your particular predispositions. Don’t be offended; nearly everyone else would do likewise.

debtsor
4 years ago
Reply to  James

James, solving the problem is a bit like quantum physics, because the dispassionate, objective and disinterested observer affects the outcome merely by observing.

Freddy
4 years ago
Reply to  James

Allow me to play devil’s advocate for a moment. When the 3% compounding was enacted the prime rate was 10% on Jan 8,1990 and the federal funds rate was 8.45% in Dec 1989. Anyone could get 4-5% on passbook savings and more in a money market fund (ah the good old days) Prior to those years rates were as high as 18% (early 80’s) So 3% in 1989 seemed reasonable historically and at that time but was never indexed to any measure of inflation like CPI. Other states indexed their numbers with a cap but not Illinois. No one foresaw… Read more »

James
4 years ago
Reply to  Freddy

The thought you’ve expressed regarding indexing the IL public employee pension funds’ annual benefit increases to the federal or IL CPI was the original proposal when the 3% COLA was finally adopted instead. The reason stated for wanting the COLA is that it gives a predictable benefit increase outcome each year for pension expense budgeting purposes. It has turned out to have been a bad decision over the last several years, hasn’t it? It shows to go you that no one can predict the future; what’s a good decision today may not be so down the line.

Cass Andra
4 years ago
Reply to  DantheMan

Many union members let their leadership do their thinking for them. I think this is especially true of complex topics like pensions. Add self-interest of those members to self-interest of legislators and judges, and the result is a core group that is sizeable and vocal. Gently blend in a left-leaning press that is reluctant to offend politicians and liberal readers, and you realize that Wirepoints is rowing upstream against a strong current. I don’t think “they” [public union members and officers] are dumb by any means. They were very strategic in getting the contract clause written into the constitution (decades… Read more »

James
4 years ago
Reply to  Cass Andra

Its a given that nearly everyone (85-90%?) chooses a point of view favoring self interest, don’t you think? Where can we find those monks and gurus who ponder things selflessly to weigh-in on these meaty topics?

Willowglen
4 years ago
Reply to  James

James – I don’t quite understand your perspective. The math is what needs to be discussed, often and intelligently. Sure, there will be differences because assumptions vary, but those differences will be much narrower than the competing perspectives we have right now – one camp reflects a not really look at the math view because our politicians will pay the pensions no matter what, and the other looks at what will happen when there is no money and having to pay on a crushing pay go status. The numbers strongly suggest the money will run out, likely in the next… Read more »

James
4 years ago
Reply to  Willowglen

Sure, I agree with you. Really I was asking a rhetorical question–something to ponder rather than answer necessarily. Math is king here. I think the legislature missed an opportunity to do more with enticing Tier 1 IL public employee pensioners to accept a lesser benefit. All they offered was a combination of a slap in the face rather than an enticement and a plus for adverse selection for those in poor health. Its not likely to be a net saver as it stand for the IL government finances. What needs to be offered is an “enticement,” something that offers a… Read more »

Cass Andra
4 years ago
Reply to  James

I don’t find Monks or Gurus in the Yellow Pages. Our legislative and judicial systems are based on input from adversaries with the legislators or judges (sometimes juries) in a position to decide or mediate. Illinois is not the only state where legislators and judges have their own self-interest on the line. I think the best solution our system affords is the federal bankruptcy system. Even there the judge often resolves issues by pressuring the contending parties to settle or face a “cram down.” However, due to state sovereignty within a republic, the state can prevent a municipal bankruptcy. Just… Read more »

debtsor
4 years ago
Reply to  DantheMan

“Are commenters like myself overreacting? Do you see the looming crisis as being transformational to the thinking of voters?”. The looming crisis is only part of the problems of the state. I deal with people all day who have problems, in an abstract sense, because of the state. Some moreso than others. But many of them rightly blame the state for their problems. They blame the state for high taxes; they blame the state for declining properly values, and for low wages; and the violence in the city, and for the decrepit cities. They all exactly who Madigan is and… Read more »

Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  debtsor

Well said! Couldn’t agree more!

Admin
4 years ago
Reply to  DantheMan

No, you are not overreacting, and I don’t think we have a difference of opinion. Our view, like those commenters, is that collapse is inevitable. For us it’s a matter of what happens then. We think it’s important to have the building blocks in place by then — to have the causes properly defined and the appropriate reforms at hand. But Illinois will only accept them when disaster hits. In the meantime, I also hope we are putting up lessons for other states. As one commenter here said, “The only justification for Illinois’ existence is to serve as a warning… Read more »

Clyde
4 years ago

Of all of my acquaintances who understand finance, not one is interested in staying in Illinois… All are awaiting the completion of elementary school or high school. The combination of increasing crime in nice areas, increases in the taxes that permeate one’s existence in our “Land of Lincoln”, and increasing annoyances of the day-to-day existence are enough to make one cry uncle. Funny, had a lunch with a friend who is a banker and asked if he believed that JB and his stable of Nobel laureates really knew that the math doesn’t work and if they had a real plan…… Read more »

Tom Paine's Ghost
4 years ago

The sad part is that none of these facts matter because Illinois politicians don’t care. The only solution is the end of their criminal political-contributions-in-exchange-for-outrageous-public-sector-union-wages-and-benefits collusion that is the root and essence of the Democrat party in Illinois and nationwide. The Democrats are held captive by this racketeering deal much like Tony Soprano and his Mafia business; they have no way out until they die or outside forces intervene and force fundamental change. All of us smart and aware people who read Wirepoints are simply watching a slow motion train wreck and are helpless to do anything except to cheer… Read more »

Hugo Bohrfladt
4 years ago

“And that doesn’t include the additional loss in sales, property and other taxes those residents no longer pay.”

You forget that people do not pay property taxes – houses do. The residents may have left town but someone else continues paying the taxes on those homes. The pols don’t care who pays as long as they get theirs.

If this is not true, please explain why.

mike Williams
4 years ago
Reply to  Hugo Bohrfladt

“You forget that people do not pay property taxes – houses do.” Really? I was so stupid writing all those checks. I should have let my house do it. Just kidding Hugo. I get your point.

Willowglen
4 years ago
Reply to  mike Williams

I have been following homes in Waukegan (I am from the North Shore, but often did my athletic training in Waukegan and always have liked it – grandfather was a deputy county clerk in the 50’s.) A mansion I have been tracking for years on Sheridan Road – the nicest part of town – went for 600k plus pre-2008 – likely a steal for a mansion – and no doubt the quality of the schools impacts the number of potential buyers and price. Yet in 2019 it just sold for under 300k. Sure, to Hugo’s point, the levy was significantly… Read more »

Michael
4 years ago
Reply to  Willowglen

To save these wonderful houses you have to move them across State lines.

Matt Stropes
4 years ago
Reply to  mike Williams

True. Taxes are still paid on those properties. But as people leave, often selling at a loss, values go down meaning less to tax. Values aren’t down because of poor maintenance, but because of the over taxing by the progressives. .

Willowglen
4 years ago
Reply to  Matt Stropes

The homes I am looking at are impeccably maintained – one couldn’t build anything like them today, either. You can see for yourself on Zillow. The picture is one of economic tragedy, and yes, in many ways attributable to a terrible political class.

Freddy
4 years ago
Reply to  Matt Stropes

Lake county is under PTELL jurisdiction which means even if property values go down the tax rate goes up to compensate. They can collect what was levied (not billed or collected) from the year before plus 5% or 1/2 of inflation whichever is less but if values goes up across the board Ptell limits them to the 5% rule. In other words they can’t lose.

Bob
4 years ago
Reply to  mike Williams

Poor point – check out the vacant homes on the south and west sides of Chicago. City owns tons of them and rest had taxes lowered a ton b/c of disrepair. Businesses file vacancy appeals or tear down structures and leave it as an empty lot. Please take a drive to Englewood and then ask this question: Hmmm I wonder if these homes paid more in taxes when they were upkept and it was a safer neighborhood?

4 years ago
Reply to  Hugo Bohrfladt

Take a quick look at how many Cook County homes don’t pay property taxes…a decent number of people have simply walked away from their homes. Delinquent Tax Deadline Looms for 45K Property Owners in Cook County … https://news.wttw.com/2019/05/02/delinquent-tax-deadline-looms-45k-property-owners-cook-county … https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-met-maria-pappas-unpaid-tax-sale-20180430-story.html. Another important point is house values go down as people leave (supply exceeds demand…see what’s happening in many of the wealthier neighborhoods and the nicer homes), the effective property tax rates become even more out of line with rates in other states. And that makes buying a home in Illinois even less desirable, triggering the vicious cycle we are in.… Read more »

Bob
4 years ago
Reply to  Ted Dabrowski

Are you saying that you can’t squeeze blood from a turnip? JB, Madigan and Cullerton will say … let me try.

George W
4 years ago
Reply to  Ted Dabrowski

Sure happened in Detroit. They lost more than half their population to liberal democrat politicians. So will Chicago.

Bob
4 years ago
Reply to  Hugo Bohrfladt

Not when the government takes over the house. Chicago owns hundreds and probably thousands of lots. Homes are left in disrepair and values and taxes go down. Finally, new property owners file vacancy appeals and get taxes reduced big time.

4 years ago

Good analysis, but may no longer be true. As you know, the data is old and does not reflect the job creation in recent years. The combined income of the young, educated and well paid millennials moving to downtown Chicago may now be offsetting the income loss from the negative net domestic migration. This does not mean Illinois or Chicago have solved their problems, just a spoke in the wheel. Indeed, Chicago is a tale of many cities. To me, there is no solution other than restructuring. Once completed, Chicago could have an exceptionally bright future. Chicagoland and Illinois have… Read more »

4 years ago
Reply to  PhilChiricotti

Phil, we are awaiting new IRS data, but the US census data, which is more fresh, shows the outmigration continuing. State and city population continue to shrink. And take the anecdotal and market evidence of falling home prices in wealthy areas, and it doesn’t bode well for the AIG argument you make. We’ll have to wait on the IRS AGI data to see the direction it’s headed in, but I’m bearish. As for the strengths of Chicago and Illinois, there are many. No denying that. They are a principal reason Wirepoints fights to turn this state around – Illinois should… Read more »

DantheMan
4 years ago
Reply to  Ted dabrowski

Ted, at this point I want to see the city and state fail. I want a big, obvious, shining example for the entire country of what happens when liberal/progressive values control an entire state. I don’t fault you and Wirepoints for trying to fight back, but I think the value of this site is to spread the word it’s time to leave, not dig in.

4 years ago
Reply to  DantheMan

We all might be speaking the same point. We need fiscal reality to hit Illinois and Chicago and that will only come when the powers can’t can-kick anymore. As long as they can borrow, reamortize, securitize and tax more, then their game continues and Illinois will continue to wither away. But once the games can no longer be played – the bond market might be the arbiter of that, maybe…or maybe faster outmigration will be – fiscal reality will win. Then the choice will be reforms or financial chaos. The question is, will we be ready with the right reforms,… Read more »

debtsor
4 years ago
Reply to  Ted dabrowski

“They are a principal reason Wirepoints fights to turn this state around – Illinois should be the beacon of opportunity it once was. ”

It must be incredibly frustrating to watch the state turn into a progressive nightmare. They don’t want you to turn the state around. They don’t care about the same things you care about. They’d rather run a declining state into the ground than share power with those that disagree with them politically.

DantheMan
4 years ago
Reply to  debtsor

The problem with Illinois is not limited to it’s finances. Even if a miracle occurred tomorrow and all the debt vanished, it would still push values such as abortion on demand, politically correct everything, sanctuary for law breakers, ….need I go on?
It’s not just a financially bankrupt state, it’s dangerously close to morally bankrupt as well. Either this is what the majority of Illinois really wants, or it is easily fooled…. and you can’t fix stupid.

Frustrated
4 years ago
Reply to  DantheMan

Sanctuary means more of the worlds poor and I have to work harder b/c more of my paycheck is taxed to pay for illegal aliens for free housing, free food, free education, free school lunches and the list of free goes on and on and on. Just tax me and ship my tax money overseas.

Bob
4 years ago
Reply to  debtsor

They want the People’s Republic of Illinois. Free college money to illegal aliens – I still can’t believe it. My hard earned money ? handed to law breakers. Next time I come back to the USA, I will NOT go through customs – I should be allowed to come and go like everyone else.

4 years ago
Reply to  Ted dabrowski

DAI has done extensive analysis on the state’s population and migration picture, including the metros and counties. Happy to make it available to those who contact us. Population shrinkage and migration are different. The downtown Super Loop, the area’s economic engine, and the rest of the metro are also different. Migration has nothing to do with the natural increase or decrease. Highly educated, well paid and young millennials are pouring into the downtown super loop. That is irrefutable. They are renters and have little to do with the traditional residential market. Suggest you look at all the new luxury rentals… Read more »

debtsor
4 years ago

It’s rearranging the deck on the Titanic. The state is sinking, Cook County has been losing population for two decades, and this guy says rich millennial are renting downtown, everything is good! You’re funny. Now go to Danville, Waukegan, Joliet or Aurora and tell me everything is fine and dandy!

4 years ago
Reply to  debtsor

Did you go to college? You may not be interested in any real data beyond your drum beat, but Chicago is a dichotomy. The state and the city as a whole are sinking, Everything is not fine and dandy, but the downtown area population – primarily young, educated and affluent – has grown significantly. The jobs in the downtown area have also grown significantly along with neighborhood development and commercial investment. Do your homework if your brain still works. Downtown Chicago is not Aurora.

Really
4 years ago
Reply to  PhilChiricotti

Whole area has higher crime and taxes. Keep dreaming that more won’t leave. I know several high paying millennials who left for other states. I did not see that 10 years ago. One warned me not to buy property in Illinois. Another left because of high costs even though he was very very well paid.

Baba ganoush
4 years ago
Reply to  PhilChiricotti

The gentrification of downtown will save nothing. They will be taxed out of existence to try and bail out state pensions. Too late, there isn’t enough money ,and there never will be.

joe blow
4 years ago

young millenials (the oldest of which are nearly 40 now) don’t have any money to pay for all of governor fat cat’s progressive nonsense, and at the first sign of them having to, they will easily leave, since as you say, they rent…

4 years ago
Reply to  joe blow

Chicago is undergoing a demographic transformation, including an influx of younger, richer and better educated workers opting to live in the central and near North Side of the city. The older, less educated, manufacturing oriented population is being replaced by this group. Chicago’s urban core growth has been fueled by extensive investment in real estate and a wave of corporate relocations and new business expansion. Between 2005 and 2017, the city of Chicago’s 25-39 year-old age group grew 16% percent while falling dramatically in the rest of Cook County and the metro outside Chicago. During the same period, Chicago’s population… Read more »

4 years ago
Reply to  PhilChiricotti

How much of that job growth in the city is from corporations moving their offices from the suburbs to downtown? Corporations like Kraft Heinz, Mcdonalds, walgreens, Motorola Mobility, Hillshire Brands, Gogo, Wilson Sporting Goods, Motorola Solutions and Beam Suntory. Companies that have shed many older workers in pursuit of cheaper young blood. Do you have any idea how the corporate moves have fueled job growth in the city. Sort of like taking from Peter to pay Paul. I also am beginning to see a lot of vacant office buildings in the suburbs

debtsor
4 years ago

Those are all dead brands that are laying off people. Kraft just annouced 400 layoffs today. Millenials don’t eat Shells and Cheese.

4 years ago

Yes, we track this closely. While Chicago may have the fastest growing downtown in the nation, the disinvestment in the surrounding area, particularly the south and west sides, is what makes Chicago’s population and job growth a dichotomy and unique. Unlike others on this forum, I am not hiding from it or championing it, but rather commenting on what is happening. In addition to the record number of corporate relocations, many other companies are opening new facilities in the West Loop. Private equity, venture capital and new start ups are also at a high in the area. Hard to believe,… Read more »

debtsor
4 years ago
Reply to  PhilChiricotti

“the complaining snipers here don’t understand that this dichotomy could be used to fuel revitalization across the metro and benefit the remaining taxpayers that don’t migrate.”

How? How will unmarried, white, upper middle class millenials in the loop and neighborhoods surrounding the downtown revitalize Wheeling, or Harvey, or Aurora, or increase property values in Crystal Lake, where taxes are double but homes sell for less than they did in 2006. Maybe that’s what I’m missing from your posts.

debtsor
4 years ago
Reply to  PhilChiricotti

“The fiscal crisis is real and so is the property tax burden, but this rental group isn’t feeling it. They don’t even pay gasoline taxes and the other ridiculous fees applicable to auto ownership in Illinois because most don’t own autos. ” Yeah, until they have children and move out of state (some will move to the ‘burbs, but not all. Many will leave)…..And have children they will – in fact, these educated women in downtown will ultimately have the 2nd most number of children of any demographic, averaging nearly three apiece…..(of note, less than high school educated have the… Read more »

Sick of Illinois’ Finances
4 years ago
Reply to  PhilChiricotti

Very poor illegal aliens from the Middle East and Latin America is not the kind of demographic shift that will grow the economy in the short term. These people unfortunately need lots of gov’t aide.

For Real
4 years ago

Phil – just stop it. You don’t remember the condo bust after 2008. I’ll bet a BILLION it happens again. Don’t let all the highly leveraged and borrowed money that is spent in the loop kid you. Have you looked at the new crime wave on the Red Line in the loop lately? Car jacking happen regularly in River north and the loop now. A CC shot a car jacker in the head in the loop last month? You must live in the burbs.

world with end
4 years ago
Reply to  Ted dabrowski

Ted, there are two big, unresolved issues that will prevent many residents from waiting to see whether this magical turnaround ever occurs. The first is: how long will it take for the restructuring to occur? Every year, many IL residents are losing money due to unduly high property taxes and user fees, and stagnating or declining property values. They’re not willing to wait much longer. The second is: will the restructuring result in lower taxes and user fees, and property appreciation? I commented before that, even with restructuring, the essential IL programs that have been underfunded for years will need… Read more »

4 years ago
Reply to  world with end

Restructuring is about negotiating the haircuts applicable to those with a seat at the table. The politicians and union backers will fight it initially, but be sure they will fight for a seat at the table if it happens. That is why TAXPAYERS MUST BE REPRESENTED AND WHAT THIS FORUM SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON. Without taxpayer representation and oversight, the feeding hogs will repeat the process and nothing will be gained. There is an opportunity here, one that does not include the taxpayer shouldering the burden.

debtsor
4 years ago
Reply to  PhilChiricotti

How can taxpayers get a seat at the table when guys like Rauner – who arguably tried – get hounded out of the state via mandate? Rauner doesn’t even live in IL any more. He was unceremoniously kicked out of office, in a landslide, and then left for Florida. He lives there now. And he is reviled across the state (for various reasons). The morale is dead, the twitter progressives have their uptopia, and they have a gov that ratifies 99.5% of all bills that cross his desk from a super majority Democrat legislature that is increasing lurching progressive. None… Read more »

EX-IL Resident
4 years ago
Reply to  debtsor

D- The unions will never allow pension reform willingly never ever. They will threaten both politically and physically anyone that tries to make impairments to the fraudulent promises made by the reptile class. The courts won’t allow any changes either thus forcing only one way forward . The market will eventually make the changes but that could take years and years as the reptiles will use every lever (hammering tax payers) to keep the Ponzi scheme going . To any IL Resident that cares about their money. Leave now before it gets worse. It is already much worse in one… Read more »

Bob
4 years ago
Reply to  Ted dabrowski

Ted you are too kind. City and State are screwed. I am interested to see how and what Lightfoot will tax to cover the billion dollar hole. More people will just leave. My property taxes are unconscionable.

4 years ago
Reply to  PhilChiricotti

Chicago has created less jobs than it has lost. Many millennials are choosing to leave since their jobs aren’t about place, but about an airport. Anecdotal point, but a friend of mine at a posh western suburban country club just had three high paying millennials decide to move to Nashville together. They sold their homes and moved their families together. I have heard “I’d love to move, but only if I can get my friends to move” before from people in CA, NY, and IL. This is the first time I have heard of it happening-again probably and outlier or… Read more »

DantheMan
4 years ago
Reply to  PhilChiricotti

Wow, are you an optimist. I suppose if you are just out of school things could turn around by the time you retire.

Bob
4 years ago
Reply to  PhilChiricotti

Keep living in a dream world – it will get worse. With I-bonds for felony weapon violators, I am afraid to bring my family downtown (even though I work there). Last City Treasurer candidate wanted to give away taxpayer money for a “minimum income” initiative even though Chicago is insolvent. The politicians are getting more radical and just simply selfish and stupid. So you really think it has a bright future? Next economic recession – the City and State will drop a turd. You’ll hear the splash so loud, you’ll then know what we all where talking about here. Scary… Read more »

George W
4 years ago
Reply to  PhilChiricotti

pipe dream

DantheMan
4 years ago

Reasons to leave Illinois….(1) Weather (2) Real Estate Taxes (3) Liberal/Progressive Values (4) State/City/Local Debt leaves no hope for better future.

Reasons to stay in Illinois …(1) Family/Friends.

Reasons to move to Illinois …(1) ???

I see online articles and videos of former Illinois residents talking about why they left Illinois. I actually think it might actually be more enlightening to see the same from residents talking about why they stay. The reasons for leaving are much more obvious.

debtsor
4 years ago
Reply to  DantheMan

(3) Liberal/Progressive Values JB signed a law on Friday that “all schools in the state include “the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this State” in official textbooks.” In 8th they’re being taught this propaganda. The bill was signed on Friday in the middle of summer during a legislative recess because even Jabba knows this bill is a political hot potato for the large numbers of conservatives in the state, roughly 45% of the state. Sure, the state has only 30% of 8th graders passing Algebra I, and only… Read more »

DantheMan
4 years ago
Reply to  debtsor

I have no problem teaching kids about how and why unions were created during the industrial revolution. That’s history. If they go beyond that and editorialize that unions are necessary to combat/balance capitalism, then I have a problem.

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WIREPOINTS ORIGINAL STORIES

A statewide concern: Illinois’ population decline outpaces neighboring states – Wirepoints on ABC20 Champaign

“We are not in good shape” Wirepoints’ Ted Dabrowski told ABC 20 Champaign during a segment on Illinois’ latest population losses. Illinois was one of just three states to shrink in the 2010-2020 period and has lost another 300,000 people since then. Ted says things need to change. “It’s too expensive to live here, there aren’t enough good jobs and nobody trusts the government anymore. There’s just other places to go where you can be more satisfied.”

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