Illinois celebrated Valentine’s Day knowing it broke up with 364,443 people since 2020. While they moved out for now, lower taxes could win them back.
By Patrick Andriesen | Illinois Policy Institute
Each year on Valentine’s Day, millions pause to celebrate the people and connections that bind us. In Illinois, it’s also a sad reminder of just how many loved ones left us.
Since 2020, Illinois has lost 364,443 residents who moved away, with most leaving for lower-tax states. Overall, with births and other migration adding some residents, the state population shrank by more than a quarter million people since April 1, 2020.
Historically, high taxes have been the No. 1 reason residents consider moving. The most recent Echelon Insights polling shows more than one-half of Illinoisans would leave the state if given the opportunity, citing the nation-leading taxes as their top reason.
But even when taxes were not a response option, surveys of those who have left the state showed the major reasons were for better housing and employment opportunities. Both have been made worse by high taxes and poor public policy in Illinois.
A decade’s worth of Illinois outmigration reports confirm residents aren’t feeling the love. The state recorded a 10th consecutive year of population decline in 2023, with one resident leaving every 6 minutes and 16 seconds.
More here.
I think your Governor JB would disagree with you on this.