Shot-Chaser: Pritzker Says People Aren’t Leaving Illinois Because of Decades of Tax Hikes
The Chicago Tribune recently published an editorial featuring hardworking Illinois families that have left the state due to high taxes. But this is a reality that seems completely lost on JB Pritzker.
SHOT
“James Heard wrote a letter to Gov. Bruce Rauner when they moved, explaining why they had to go. Their property taxes had risen from about $1,600 when they bought their five-bedroom Homer Glen home in 1996 to nearly $10,000 by the time they left. They sold their house for $325,000 and made a little money. But the value of the home did not keep pace with the property taxes owed.
‘I was paying more than my fair share,’ he said. ‘I don’t see any way out (for Illinois). People making $100,000 or more are just going to leave. They’re all looking at northwest Indiana to get away from the taxes.’
Heard voted for Rauner in 2014 and thought the new governor might be able to change the tax-and-spend culture of Springfield. But the Democrats blocked Rauner’s agenda. Heard places the blame ’square on the shoulder of (House Speaker) Michael Madigan and the powerful interests of Chicago. The state just appears to be getting more and more liberal. They’re going to be running out of people to take things from.’”
CHASER
Pritzker shows just how out of touch he is with Illinois families, says “people aren’t leaving Illinois because they’re overtaxed.”
* I subscribe to the Rauner campaign’s YouTube page, so I was notified when that video popped up on Monday. I sent the link to the Pritzker campaign for comment, and they said there was more context.
Charles: How do you… I mean Governor Rauner says that he wants to incentivize businesses to stay in Illinois, keep their jobs here and keep Illinoisans from leaving the state. What are you going to do to specifically incentivize businesses statewide to get them to stay here?
JB: People are not leaving because they’re getting overtaxed. People are leaving this state because there’s complete uncertainty about the future of our state. So the biggest challenge is, Bruce Rauner can say everything he wants, but he’s created this complete uncertainty. Who wants to invest in a business or a factory…
Charles: But there was uncertainty before he came into office…
JB: No, I’m telling you right now he’s driven it off a cliff. What business wants to invest $40 million to build a factory in the state of Illinois when they don’t know if we’re gonna have a budget or be able to pay for education?
Maze: Speaking of that factory though. Illinois has the highest black unemployment in the country.
If only there was a field of study devoted to population trends, and researchers who devoted their time and efforts to researching and analyzing them based on empirical evidence.
Sadly, it’s just Katrina and her twitter pals, blindly trying to describe the elephant.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 10:45 am:
Pritzker does need to push a tax plan that lowers taxes for working class people and raises them on people like himself, Rauner and Griffin. When combined with marijuana legalization and those sales/tax revenues, it would be politically potent.
If Pritzker can do this coherently enough, then we would have a clear choice between Rauner’s plan of lowering taxes via whacking workers and unions or taxing those more who can better afford to pay, along with marijuana legalization revenue.
Nice anecdote by Mr. Heard, but I don’t think he can speak for all Illinoisans (or all Illinoiasans that make over $100,000 for that matter.)
People are leaving for all sorts of reasons. Some, like Mr. Heard, are leaving because of property taxes. Others are leaving because manufacturing has left their towns and there aren’t any comparable jobs to make a living. Others are leaving because of the weather.
Regardless, in terms of the people leaving because of taxation/finances of the state, Governor Rauner has done absolutely nothing to make the situation better. The unpaid bills have gone up, which, at the very least, will delay any significant tax relief that may be able to occur. What is interesting is that some of the voters that are sympathetic to Rauner, like Mr. Heard, are leaving due to the finances of the state. Regardless of who Mr. Heard blames, Rauner hasn’t done anything to improve the situation.
=‘I was paying more than my fair share,’ he said.=
The press release fails to mention a number of important events during Mr. Heard’s time in Homer Glen. Homer Glen incorporated during his time there, which was done at the behest of the majority of citizen’s in the community through a public vote. That had an immediate impact on taxes. Moving from unincorporated to an incorporated municipality changes the tax rate dramatically. Mr. Heard, like Mr. Rauner does not seem to think services cost money.
Another significant event was a school district tax rate referendum. Homer is under PTELL. In 2001 those of us in that school district approved a tax rate increase to continue to support our excellent schools (a big part of the property value) it was the first of it’s kind since the late 1970’s.
The great recession also occurred. Those pandering politicians that created PTELL never thought about the real consequences of their actions. They sold “Tax Caps” which it wasn’t. When property values cratered in 2008-2010 and foreclosures skyrocketed values dropped but the property tax extension was guaranteed which increased the burden on homeowners even as their values fell. School enrollments barely moved in the Homer district and schools were still open.
=But the value of the home did not keep pace with the property taxes owed.=
That is pure word salad. The fact is that most peoples have not but we are paying for services through those taxes, it isn’t an IRA.
===Heard voted for Rauner in 2014 and thought the new governor might be able to change the tax-and-spend culture of Springfield. But the Democrats blocked Rauner’s agenda. Heard places the blame ’square on the shoulder of (House Speaker) Michael Madigan and the powerful interests of Chicago. The state just appears to be getting more and more liberal. They’re going to be running out of people to take things from.’”===
LOL
Let’s break this down, so even @StatehouseChick can fully grasp it.
“Heard voted for Rauner in 2014 and thought the new governor might be able to change the tax-and-spend culture of Springfield.”
Ok. Heard bought the “Shake up” and “Bring back” spiel. Many did, as Rauner won, as “Pat Quinn failed”
Continuing…
“But the Democrats blocked Rauner’s agenda.”
Here’s the Raunerite victimhood.
Rauner couldn’t get 60, and used the likes of Ken Dunkin, and at times knowing Jack Franks and Scott Drury would hold for overrides… at a clip at one point, that was perfect.
A governor stopping overrides… is a governor being blocked? Hmm.
As we go further…
“Heard places the blame ’square on the shoulder of (House Speaker) Michael Madigan and the powerful interests of Chicago.”
This can only be true if Rauner actually had 60 and 30 and Madigan and Cullerton held things back that would pass because of… 60 and 30. It’s this thinking, Raunerite victimhood, that forgets that knowing how things pass hasn’t changed, and won’t change. Rauner, like every governor, needs 60 and 30.
Progressing…
“The state just appears to be getting more and more liberal.”
This is my favorite. “Because Liberal”
Why? Welp, Mr. Heard wants Rauner’s agenda, can’t get it passed, “because Madigan”… but the state… is getting more liberal… which might explain why Rauner can’t find his 60 and 30, LOL. You can’t make up such a person for @StatehouseChick if you tried.
“They’re going to be running out of people to take things from.’”
So, to conclude, Mr. Heard isn’t pleased living in an alleged liberal state, that Madigan controls the liberal leaning, I guess, and people are leaving because Rauner can’t get 60 and 30, because it’s Madigan’s role to get 60 for Rauner, so Dems can vote against their core beliefs, to pass things that make up Rauner’s core beliefs… that run counter to Dems.
As far as these “testimonials”, the fun is reading the silly thinking that @StatehouseChick wants to be the “reasonable” response to Rauner’s failings.
==They sold their house for $325,000 and made a little money.==
Trulia says he made $69,500. That’s more than a little.
- People Over Parties - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:07 am:
It goes beyond the budget impasse. The fundamental problems that were created before Rauner still exist, and they are problems that many, if not most voters deeply despise, such as high taxes and a lousy economy. Hopefully Pritzker will discuss these issues in greater depth.
Pritzker would help himself by acknowledging that taxes do matter and for some people they can be more he tipping point in the decision to move. Then he has several pivots. He can go the “tax uncertainy is worse than high but certain rates” or the “As Governor my job is to make sure taxpayers get value for their money, universities stay competitive, raids and bridges are safe, courts run smoothly, and veterans don’t die from poor care”
There’s not 1 single reason why people are leaving this state. Taxes, specifically property taxes, are a major reason. Another is the budget impasse, which certainly doesn’t help when people already feel taxes are too high. Add on to all of this the abysmal public education system, high crime rates in Chicago, union demands that companies have to meet to start a new project, rise in popularity of remote work/telecommuting and rampant corruption (especially in these villages and other independent municipalities). All of this has to be addressed, its not 1 single factor that is leading to the out migration.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:25 am:
===”“But the Democrats blocked Rauner’s agenda.” Here’s the Raunerite victimhood.”===
So are you saying in a rambling fashion that the Democrats in Springfield did not block any of Rauner’s agenda? I seem to recall a lot of crowing in Springfield about “not giving Rauner any wins.”
But then, everything pre-Rauner was just peachy, and everything post-Rauner election was pure decimation according to the spinsters around here.
==Trulia says he made $69,500. That’s more than a little.==
When you take inflation into account, he “lost” $80,000. Plus there’s the typical household maintenance and updates and after-tax impact of mortgage interest and property taxes. With housing, it’s never as simple as price paid and sale price.
People aren’t leaving because our flat tax rate went from 3 to 5. People leave because housing values are the worst in the country’s top 20 markets, slow job growth , ever increasing property taxes and the bleak outlook caused by the pension funding. Unfortunately JB’s answer is to raise taxes. Nd increase spending. JB seems to have a big appetite to spend more money and ask residents to incur more taxation. It’s not a surprise if more people give up and relocate
===So are you saying… that the Democrats in Springfield did not block any of Rauner’s agenda?===
When did Rauner have 60?
Can’t block what never existed.
Rauner told the newly bought Raunerite Caucuses he didn’t want “any $&@#% problems” as member after member voted against their districts, heck, Mr. Breen stated members enabled Rauner, not supported Rauner… even when Rauner turned his back on his own “owned” Caucuses.
You know this, - Louis G Atsaves -, why make me point it out?
===But then, everything pre-Rauner was just peachy, and everything post-Rauner election was pure decimation ===
According to Crain’s … by nearly every measure… Illinois is worse off since Rauner… Rauner… became governor.
According to National Review… Rauner is the worst Governor in America.
Rauner owns his three years… and three years of Rauner failure.
===…according to the spinsters around here.===
… or the Social Services that closed or not named The Ounce, or college freshman and/or their families as Rauner refuses to fully fund for a fiscal year higher education in Illinois and students go elsewhere…
It’s not spinsters here, 48% of Republicans aren’t voting for Rauner.
This is fun
BTW how about someone ask GovJUnk & Friends on the $1 million rental payment he made on the Southside S&L in ‘14 panned out…lots o loans, new biz created…just curious
- People Over Parties - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:48 am:
===everything pre-Rauner was just peachy, and everything post-Rauner election was pure decimation===
The spin is real. I’ve heard that narrative more than once. It’s just silly and completely ignores the reasons Rauner won in the first place.
===The spin is real. I’ve heard that narrative more than once. It’s just silly and completely ignores the reasons Rauner won in the first place.===
… and yet… Rauner made Illinois worse off since becoming governor and is the worst Republican governor in America.
Rauner failed. On Rauner’s own “merits” or the Pat Quinn “matrix” of measure… Bruce Rauner has failed Illinois. What will be different in a second term?
The 48% of Republican voters this past March weren’t voting Rauner… why?
Well Illinois has one of the highest state and local tax burdens in the nation. The average citizen gets very little for that high tax burden other than a highly protected public sector. Illinois has one of the slowest job growth rates in the nation and one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation.
==The press release fails to mention a number of important events during Mr. Heard’s time in Homer Glen.==
Good point, but his effective property tax rate at time of sale was 3%. That is extremely high and will probably go higher with the recent sale.
It’s guys like James Heard that keep the state afloat. He makes more than average, but he’s not rich. He seemingly could afford a tax hike, but his carrying costs put him in the same hole as people who make less. He sends a lot of money to the state and gets very little in return (the state provides Homer CCSD with less than 6% of its total funding). I don’t blame him for evaluating the value proposition.
This is the guy in JB’s cross-hairs that will be targeted to pay more.
JB knows in his heart of hearts that the highest property taxes in America are driving people out of Illinois.
Even limousine liberal billionaires think they are outrageous and go to extraordinary measures to avoid them
He also knows that we have one of the worst business environments in tha nation and that is hurting pot people
Pretending this crisis started 3 years ago is fooling no one
- People Over Parties - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:09 pm:
===worst Republican governor in America.===
They define “worst” as not being sufficiently conservative. Written by someone who doesn’t even live in Illinois.
===The 48% of Republican voters this past March weren’t voting Rauner… why?===
Because Jeanne Ives made an issue about conservative credentials and did so in a manner that came off as so bigoted that it cost her the race. If I were a Republican running in a general election I’d pivot toward the 51% rather than the 48% who call me “Worst Republican” for being too moderate.
===If I were a Republican running in a general election I’d pivot toward the 51% rather than the 48% who call me “Worst Republican” for being too moderate.===
LOL… Rauner needs ALL the GOP voters. The numbers and the wave coming dictate that.
The National Review couldn’t have been too far off… 48% of Republican voters voted for Jeanne Ives… Jeanne Ives… over Rauner.
How awful of a Republican…
I’ll stop myself there. My bad.
Rauner is a Raunerite. Rauner has never been a Republican… and the GOP voters in March reminded him… Rauner isn’t a Republican.
You forgot that Crain’s states that by nearly every measure Illinois is worse off since Rauner.
An oversight I’m guessing.
- don the legend - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:17 pm:
===Even limousine liberal billionaires think they are outrageous and go to extraordinary measures to avoid them===
Leave Bruce and Diana Rauner out if this, lol
===He also knows that we have one of the worst business environments in tha nation and that is hurting pot people===
The three years of Bruce Rauner hasn’t helped.
Despite Gov. Rauner’s failings, 1871 is creating jobs, a credit to a businessman who is part of creating jobs, with actual business people willing to vouch for Pritzker and his job creating.
Bruce Rauner still hasn’t pointed to a single job he created, or had someone other than Diana Rauner vouch for him.
===Pretending this crisis started 3 years ago is fooling no one==
So we’re in a crisis? Rauner isn’t the man to get us out if it I guess, since it’s still going on these past 3 years.
Rauner needs to keep hitting JB on taxes. The middle class tax payer is sick of being taxed to death. The Democrats love taxes and spending, with no cuts, and this is what a JB governor will do.This is the message that Rauner should keep sending to the voters.
The majority of people in Illinois want more tax and more spend. For every problem the answer is to raise taxes on the “wealthy”. The conservatives are seeing the writing on the wall and are leaving. After priktzer wins folks are just going to evacuate rather than wait for the boom to drop.
Dave, Nicki, Becky : next time someone says “Let’s go on Maze’s show!” make them go stand in the corner.
Maze Jackson is a consultant for Bruce Rauner. Going on his show is never, ever, ever going to help you. It only creates opportunities for embarrassments like this and what happened to Kwame. You are better off letting him badmouth you to an empty chair.
There are a couple of folks on public access cable you also want to avoid.
== Illinois needs to offer all tier 1 folks a job and switch to tier 2 or no job. ==
Oooh, can I say something illegal and outrageous now? How about we bill every citizen of Illinois from the past 50 years for what they should have paid for the services they got. That way even if they flee the state, they still owe the money./s
Personally, I still think free bacon to all retirees is the way to go. Of course if each piece cuts 9 minutes off your life I should have died in 1837, so that may not work…
If taxes really were the key factor in residents moving out, then the move-out rate should’ve dropped after the biggest tax cut in state history when most of the Quinn temporary income tax hike expired. The inconvenient truth is only 8 percent of IL residents who were moving cited taxes as a reason in 2014 according to Gallup. https://capitolfax.com/2014/04/29/the-rest-of-the-numbers/
=Good point, but his effective property tax rate at time of sale was 3%. That is extremely high and will probably go higher with the recent sale.=
CZ, you are missing an important point or points- The citizens of that community overwhelmingly voted to incorporate. That was the first thing that happened to significantly raise taxes. Having a police force and other local government resources when you didn’t have them before costs a lot of money to get going. They chose it, he just didn’t want to pay.
The citizens of the school district voted to easily pass an education Fund referendum.
These two events were not imposed on people, they were approved by the voters.
You know….local control.
Homer is almost entirely made up of housing, very little commercial development and non existent industrial development. This also contributes to higher taxes.
So absolutely taxes were going to increase more than property values, not that that means anything because there is no required correlation. Services cost money and they are getting great services. Excellent schools , police, and fire, libraries etc.
But lets not look at the “why” let’s just shout about taxes. That is easier and does not require anyone to think just gripe. /s
JB seems to not know the out migration of Chicago and Illinois has been going on for 20- 25 years. Primarily African Americans on the south and west sides. However they were being replaced by Spanish or Polish and it was kind of wash. But the in migration is super low now so the numbers are more glaring . It is combination of better opportunities for jobs in southern climates, weather, decline of manufactures . We are good at getting the corp headquarters /IT jobs but that seems to be about it
- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 3:40 pm:
===”You know this, - Louis G Atsaves -, why make me point it out?”===
Because you make it so easy to push you into one of your patented rambling rants? LOL!
@JS Mill - I’m familiar with Homer. Vote or no vote, at the end of the day, he looked at his house and decided it wasn’t worth a 3% yearly surcharge. It’s the same value proposition all IL homeowners are asking themselves. Ask anyone in Orland/Palos/Tinley and they’ll tell you you don’t have to incorporate to have large property tax increases.
BTW - Good observation about Minnesota, the state that taxes retirement income at a higher rate Illinois taxes regular income.
== the state that taxes retirement income at a higher rate Illinois taxes regular income==
Higher regular income tax, tax on retirement, according to the logic here people should be fleeing Minnesota in droves as well. Funny, doesn’t look that way. So it sounds like Illinois needs to raise income taxes so they can drop property taxes. Good point, CZ.
== So it sounds like Illinois needs to raise income taxes so they can drop property taxes. Good point, CZ.==
I know, and when retirees are paying those same rates, we’ll finally experience the true Minnesota success story that we all crave. Count me and all the retirees in.
@CZ- we are in complete agreement on retirement income being taxed. I will never understand why being retired grants you a pass on income tax. My pension income should be taxed.
I grew up in unincorporated Cook County. My parents still live there. Taxes, by any standard are reasonable there given home values.
the person cited in the press release had a unique opportunity to have a voice in his level of taxation as did others I. Homer did. The services rendered cost money. There is no free lunch. The concept that you don’t pay for them in other states is a fantasy. Plain and simple.
Illinois has one of the highest state and local tax burdens in the nation right now. I believe our tax burden is higher than Minnesota already. Minnesota is a we’ll run state. It’s not a kleptocracy. There is no Madigan in Minnesota. How many many of their governors have gone to prison?
I’m leaving Chicago but it isn’t taxes that are driving me out. It is the lack of affordable housing. I can’t afford to live where I want to live. I used to say I don’t want to live where I can afford, but now, there are areas I don’t want to live and I now can’t afford to live there either. So I’m leaving town and going somewhere I can buy a house for $200,000. Can’t do that here.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 10:29 am:
We rolled back the tax hike in 2015, and the out-migration continued. So JB’s right.
Besides that, I don’t think “You’re wrong on why things are terrible” is such an effective attack for an incumbent Governor.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 10:38 am:
If only there was a field of study devoted to population trends, and researchers who devoted their time and efforts to researching and analyzing them based on empirical evidence.
Sadly, it’s just Katrina and her twitter pals, blindly trying to describe the elephant.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 10:45 am:
Pritzker does need to push a tax plan that lowers taxes for working class people and raises them on people like himself, Rauner and Griffin. When combined with marijuana legalization and those sales/tax revenues, it would be politically potent.
If Pritzker can do this coherently enough, then we would have a clear choice between Rauner’s plan of lowering taxes via whacking workers and unions or taxing those more who can better afford to pay, along with marijuana legalization revenue.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 10:46 am:
Nice anecdote by Mr. Heard, but I don’t think he can speak for all Illinoisans (or all Illinoiasans that make over $100,000 for that matter.)
People are leaving for all sorts of reasons. Some, like Mr. Heard, are leaving because of property taxes. Others are leaving because manufacturing has left their towns and there aren’t any comparable jobs to make a living. Others are leaving because of the weather.
Regardless, in terms of the people leaving because of taxation/finances of the state, Governor Rauner has done absolutely nothing to make the situation better. The unpaid bills have gone up, which, at the very least, will delay any significant tax relief that may be able to occur. What is interesting is that some of the voters that are sympathetic to Rauner, like Mr. Heard, are leaving due to the finances of the state. Regardless of who Mr. Heard blames, Rauner hasn’t done anything to improve the situation.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 10:49 am:
=‘I was paying more than my fair share,’ he said.=
The press release fails to mention a number of important events during Mr. Heard’s time in Homer Glen. Homer Glen incorporated during his time there, which was done at the behest of the majority of citizen’s in the community through a public vote. That had an immediate impact on taxes. Moving from unincorporated to an incorporated municipality changes the tax rate dramatically. Mr. Heard, like Mr. Rauner does not seem to think services cost money.
Another significant event was a school district tax rate referendum. Homer is under PTELL. In 2001 those of us in that school district approved a tax rate increase to continue to support our excellent schools (a big part of the property value) it was the first of it’s kind since the late 1970’s.
The great recession also occurred. Those pandering politicians that created PTELL never thought about the real consequences of their actions. They sold “Tax Caps” which it wasn’t. When property values cratered in 2008-2010 and foreclosures skyrocketed values dropped but the property tax extension was guaranteed which increased the burden on homeowners even as their values fell. School enrollments barely moved in the Homer district and schools were still open.
=But the value of the home did not keep pace with the property taxes owed.=
That is pure word salad. The fact is that most peoples have not but we are paying for services through those taxes, it isn’t an IRA.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:01 am:
===Heard voted for Rauner in 2014 and thought the new governor might be able to change the tax-and-spend culture of Springfield. But the Democrats blocked Rauner’s agenda. Heard places the blame ’square on the shoulder of (House Speaker) Michael Madigan and the powerful interests of Chicago. The state just appears to be getting more and more liberal. They’re going to be running out of people to take things from.’”===
LOL
Let’s break this down, so even @StatehouseChick can fully grasp it.
“Heard voted for Rauner in 2014 and thought the new governor might be able to change the tax-and-spend culture of Springfield.”
Ok. Heard bought the “Shake up” and “Bring back” spiel. Many did, as Rauner won, as “Pat Quinn failed”
Continuing…
“But the Democrats blocked Rauner’s agenda.”
Here’s the Raunerite victimhood.
Rauner couldn’t get 60, and used the likes of Ken Dunkin, and at times knowing Jack Franks and Scott Drury would hold for overrides… at a clip at one point, that was perfect.
A governor stopping overrides… is a governor being blocked? Hmm.
As we go further…
“Heard places the blame ’square on the shoulder of (House Speaker) Michael Madigan and the powerful interests of Chicago.”
This can only be true if Rauner actually had 60 and 30 and Madigan and Cullerton held things back that would pass because of… 60 and 30. It’s this thinking, Raunerite victimhood, that forgets that knowing how things pass hasn’t changed, and won’t change. Rauner, like every governor, needs 60 and 30.
Progressing…
“The state just appears to be getting more and more liberal.”
This is my favorite. “Because Liberal”
Why? Welp, Mr. Heard wants Rauner’s agenda, can’t get it passed, “because Madigan”… but the state… is getting more liberal… which might explain why Rauner can’t find his 60 and 30, LOL. You can’t make up such a person for @StatehouseChick if you tried.
“They’re going to be running out of people to take things from.’”
So, to conclude, Mr. Heard isn’t pleased living in an alleged liberal state, that Madigan controls the liberal leaning, I guess, and people are leaving because Rauner can’t get 60 and 30, because it’s Madigan’s role to get 60 for Rauner, so Dems can vote against their core beliefs, to pass things that make up Rauner’s core beliefs… that run counter to Dems.
As far as these “testimonials”, the fun is reading the silly thinking that @StatehouseChick wants to be the “reasonable” response to Rauner’s failings.
It’s fun.
- Jocko - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:04 am:
==They sold their house for $325,000 and made a little money.==
Trulia says he made $69,500. That’s more than a little.
- People Over Parties - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:07 am:
It goes beyond the budget impasse. The fundamental problems that were created before Rauner still exist, and they are problems that many, if not most voters deeply despise, such as high taxes and a lousy economy. Hopefully Pritzker will discuss these issues in greater depth.
- Last Bull Moose - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:08 am:
Pritzker would help himself by acknowledging that taxes do matter and for some people they can be more he tipping point in the decision to move. Then he has several pivots. He can go the “tax uncertainy is worse than high but certain rates” or the “As Governor my job is to make sure taxpayers get value for their money, universities stay competitive, raids and bridges are safe, courts run smoothly, and veterans don’t die from poor care”
- Phenomynous - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:18 am:
==They sold their house for $325,000 and made a little money.==
-Trulia says he made $69,500. That’s more than a little.-
Not when you factor in 20 years of mortgage interest and property taxes.
- ILDemVoter - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:18 am:
There’s not 1 single reason why people are leaving this state. Taxes, specifically property taxes, are a major reason. Another is the budget impasse, which certainly doesn’t help when people already feel taxes are too high. Add on to all of this the abysmal public education system, high crime rates in Chicago, union demands that companies have to meet to start a new project, rise in popularity of remote work/telecommuting and rampant corruption (especially in these villages and other independent municipalities). All of this has to be addressed, its not 1 single factor that is leading to the out migration.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:25 am:
===”“But the Democrats blocked Rauner’s agenda.” Here’s the Raunerite victimhood.”===
So are you saying in a rambling fashion that the Democrats in Springfield did not block any of Rauner’s agenda? I seem to recall a lot of crowing in Springfield about “not giving Rauner any wins.”
But then, everything pre-Rauner was just peachy, and everything post-Rauner election was pure decimation according to the spinsters around here.
- City Zen - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:26 am:
==Trulia says he made $69,500. That’s more than a little.==
When you take inflation into account, he “lost” $80,000. Plus there’s the typical household maintenance and updates and after-tax impact of mortgage interest and property taxes. With housing, it’s never as simple as price paid and sale price.
- Sue - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:27 am:
People aren’t leaving because our flat tax rate went from 3 to 5. People leave because housing values are the worst in the country’s top 20 markets, slow job growth , ever increasing property taxes and the bleak outlook caused by the pension funding. Unfortunately JB’s answer is to raise taxes. Nd increase spending. JB seems to have a big appetite to spend more money and ask residents to incur more taxation. It’s not a surprise if more people give up and relocate
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:39 am:
Oh - Louis G Atsaves -, LOL
===So are you saying… that the Democrats in Springfield did not block any of Rauner’s agenda?===
When did Rauner have 60?
Can’t block what never existed.
Rauner told the newly bought Raunerite Caucuses he didn’t want “any $&@#% problems” as member after member voted against their districts, heck, Mr. Breen stated members enabled Rauner, not supported Rauner… even when Rauner turned his back on his own “owned” Caucuses.
You know this, - Louis G Atsaves -, why make me point it out?
===But then, everything pre-Rauner was just peachy, and everything post-Rauner election was pure decimation ===
According to Crain’s … by nearly every measure… Illinois is worse off since Rauner… Rauner… became governor.
According to National Review… Rauner is the worst Governor in America.
Rauner owns his three years… and three years of Rauner failure.
===…according to the spinsters around here.===
… or the Social Services that closed or not named The Ounce, or college freshman and/or their families as Rauner refuses to fully fund for a fiscal year higher education in Illinois and students go elsewhere…
It’s not spinsters here, 48% of Republicans aren’t voting for Rauner.
Anything else, Counselor?
- Annonin' - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:48 am:
This is fun
BTW how about someone ask GovJUnk & Friends on the $1 million rental payment he made on the Southside S&L in ‘14 panned out…lots o loans, new biz created…just curious
- People Over Parties - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:48 am:
===everything pre-Rauner was just peachy, and everything post-Rauner election was pure decimation===
The spin is real. I’ve heard that narrative more than once. It’s just silly and completely ignores the reasons Rauner won in the first place.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:53 am:
===The spin is real. I’ve heard that narrative more than once. It’s just silly and completely ignores the reasons Rauner won in the first place.===
… and yet… Rauner made Illinois worse off since becoming governor and is the worst Republican governor in America.
Rauner failed. On Rauner’s own “merits” or the Pat Quinn “matrix” of measure… Bruce Rauner has failed Illinois. What will be different in a second term?
The 48% of Republican voters this past March weren’t voting Rauner… why?
- Ron - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 11:55 am:
Well Illinois has one of the highest state and local tax burdens in the nation. The average citizen gets very little for that high tax burden other than a highly protected public sector. Illinois has one of the slowest job growth rates in the nation and one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation.
Gee, wonder why people are fleeing.
- City Zen - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:01 pm:
==The press release fails to mention a number of important events during Mr. Heard’s time in Homer Glen.==
Good point, but his effective property tax rate at time of sale was 3%. That is extremely high and will probably go higher with the recent sale.
It’s guys like James Heard that keep the state afloat. He makes more than average, but he’s not rich. He seemingly could afford a tax hike, but his carrying costs put him in the same hole as people who make less. He sends a lot of money to the state and gets very little in return (the state provides Homer CCSD with less than 6% of its total funding). I don’t blame him for evaluating the value proposition.
This is the guy in JB’s cross-hairs that will be targeted to pay more.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:04 pm:
Illinois needs to offer all tier 1 folks a job and switch to tier 2 or no job.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:04 pm:
===He sends a lot of money to the state and gets very little in return (the state provides Homer CCSD with less than 6% of its total funding).===
Hmm.
So where did the property taxes go?
You’re saying he paid “lots” to the state with little back in return, but it’s the property taxes..
… I don’t think you know what you wanna say outside “high taxes”
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:08 pm:
JB knows in his heart of hearts that the highest property taxes in America are driving people out of Illinois.
Even limousine liberal billionaires think they are outrageous and go to extraordinary measures to avoid them
He also knows that we have one of the worst business environments in tha nation and that is hurting pot people
Pretending this crisis started 3 years ago is fooling no one
- People Over Parties - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:09 pm:
===worst Republican governor in America.===
They define “worst” as not being sufficiently conservative. Written by someone who doesn’t even live in Illinois.
===The 48% of Republican voters this past March weren’t voting Rauner… why?===
Because Jeanne Ives made an issue about conservative credentials and did so in a manner that came off as so bigoted that it cost her the race. If I were a Republican running in a general election I’d pivot toward the 51% rather than the 48% who call me “Worst Republican” for being too moderate.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:13 pm:
===If I were a Republican running in a general election I’d pivot toward the 51% rather than the 48% who call me “Worst Republican” for being too moderate.===
LOL… Rauner needs ALL the GOP voters. The numbers and the wave coming dictate that.
The National Review couldn’t have been too far off… 48% of Republican voters voted for Jeanne Ives… Jeanne Ives… over Rauner.
How awful of a Republican…
I’ll stop myself there. My bad.
Rauner is a Raunerite. Rauner has never been a Republican… and the GOP voters in March reminded him… Rauner isn’t a Republican.
You forgot that Crain’s states that by nearly every measure Illinois is worse off since Rauner.
An oversight I’m guessing.
- don the legend - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:17 pm:
Ron asks “Gee, wonder why people are fleeing.”
Snow in April has me calling a realtor.
- Henry Francis - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:27 pm:
The Rauner campaign didn’t take JB’s words out context. It just redacted parts of the interview.
- RNUG - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:46 pm:
== Illinois needs to offer all tier 1 folks a job and switch to tier 2 or no job. ==
Not legal, period.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:46 pm:
===Even limousine liberal billionaires think they are outrageous and go to extraordinary measures to avoid them===
Leave Bruce and Diana Rauner out if this, lol
===He also knows that we have one of the worst business environments in tha nation and that is hurting pot people===
The three years of Bruce Rauner hasn’t helped.
Despite Gov. Rauner’s failings, 1871 is creating jobs, a credit to a businessman who is part of creating jobs, with actual business people willing to vouch for Pritzker and his job creating.
Bruce Rauner still hasn’t pointed to a single job he created, or had someone other than Diana Rauner vouch for him.
===Pretending this crisis started 3 years ago is fooling no one==
So we’re in a crisis? Rauner isn’t the man to get us out if it I guess, since it’s still going on these past 3 years.
Are you trying today or… lol
- Steve Polite - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:53 pm:
Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:04 pm:
Illinois needs to offer all tier 1 folks a job and switch to tier 2 or no job. : Unconstitutional!
- Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 12:57 pm:
Rauner needs to keep hitting JB on taxes. The middle class tax payer is sick of being taxed to death. The Democrats love taxes and spending, with no cuts, and this is what a JB governor will do.This is the message that Rauner should keep sending to the voters.
- Henry Francis - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 1:00 pm:
Be fair OW, the Guv did create 3 new jobs at his Intersect Illinois.
Unfortunately none of them went to an Illinoisian.
- Lukas Jackson - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 1:25 pm:
The majority of people in Illinois want more tax and more spend. For every problem the answer is to raise taxes on the “wealthy”. The conservatives are seeing the writing on the wall and are leaving. After priktzer wins folks are just going to evacuate rather than wait for the boom to drop.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 1:27 pm:
===After priktzer wins folks are just going to evacuate ===
Drama queen.
- Thomas Paine - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 1:45 pm:
I’ve said it before and I will say it again:
Democrats: Stop going on Maze Jackson’s show.
JB: Stop going on Maze Jackson’s show.
Dave, Nicki, Becky : next time someone says “Let’s go on Maze’s show!” make them go stand in the corner.
Maze Jackson is a consultant for Bruce Rauner. Going on his show is never, ever, ever going to help you. It only creates opportunities for embarrassments like this and what happened to Kwame. You are better off letting him badmouth you to an empty chair.
There are a couple of folks on public access cable you also want to avoid.
- HangingOn - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 1:45 pm:
== Illinois needs to offer all tier 1 folks a job and switch to tier 2 or no job. ==
Oooh, can I say something illegal and outrageous now? How about we bill every citizen of Illinois from the past 50 years for what they should have paid for the services they got. That way even if they flee the state, they still owe the money./s
Personally, I still think free bacon to all retirees is the way to go. Of course if each piece cuts 9 minutes off your life I should have died in 1837, so that may not work…
- TominChicago - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 1:45 pm:
The Democrats love taxes and spending, with no cuts…
When asked in March of 2017 by various ILSEN committees what they would cut from their budget, all of Rauner’s cabinet secretaries could not identify anything they would cut.
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170307/senate-frustrated-by-rauner-agencies-budget-cut-silence
- anon2 - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 2:15 pm:
If taxes really were the key factor in residents moving out, then the move-out rate should’ve dropped after the biggest tax cut in state history when most of the Quinn temporary income tax hike expired. The inconvenient truth is only 8 percent of IL residents who were moving cited taxes as a reason in 2014 according to Gallup. https://capitolfax.com/2014/04/29/the-rest-of-the-numbers/
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 2:58 pm:
===…the Guv did create 3 new jobs at his Intersect Illinois.===
- Henry Francis -,
That one’s on me. My bad.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 2:58 pm:
=Good point, but his effective property tax rate at time of sale was 3%. That is extremely high and will probably go higher with the recent sale.=
CZ, you are missing an important point or points- The citizens of that community overwhelmingly voted to incorporate. That was the first thing that happened to significantly raise taxes. Having a police force and other local government resources when you didn’t have them before costs a lot of money to get going. They chose it, he just didn’t want to pay.
The citizens of the school district voted to easily pass an education Fund referendum.
These two events were not imposed on people, they were approved by the voters.
You know….local control.
Homer is almost entirely made up of housing, very little commercial development and non existent industrial development. This also contributes to higher taxes.
So absolutely taxes were going to increase more than property values, not that that means anything because there is no required correlation. Services cost money and they are getting great services. Excellent schools , police, and fire, libraries etc.
But lets not look at the “why” let’s just shout about taxes. That is easier and does not require anyone to think just gripe. /s
- JS Mill - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 3:01 pm:
=Illinois has one of the slowest job growth rates in the nation and one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation.=
Taxation seemingly has an inverse relationship to that very thing. See- Minnesota.
Here, I’ll help you out…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota?scrlybrkr=6b0c1649
- Silicon Prairie - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 3:26 pm:
JB seems to not know the out migration of Chicago and Illinois has been going on for 20- 25 years. Primarily African Americans on the south and west sides. However they were being replaced by Spanish or Polish and it was kind of wash. But the in migration is super low now so the numbers are more glaring . It is combination of better opportunities for jobs in southern climates, weather, decline of manufactures . We are good at getting the corp headquarters /IT jobs but that seems to be about it
- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 3:40 pm:
===”You know this, - Louis G Atsaves -, why make me point it out?”===
Because you make it so easy to push you into one of your patented rambling rants? LOL!
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 3:46 pm:
===Because you make it so easy to push you into one of your …===
… or you can’t defend the governor?
I can ramble and prattle on without your help, lol
:)
- City Zen - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 3:59 pm:
@JS Mill - I’m familiar with Homer. Vote or no vote, at the end of the day, he looked at his house and decided it wasn’t worth a 3% yearly surcharge. It’s the same value proposition all IL homeowners are asking themselves. Ask anyone in Orland/Palos/Tinley and they’ll tell you you don’t have to incorporate to have large property tax increases.
BTW - Good observation about Minnesota, the state that taxes retirement income at a higher rate Illinois taxes regular income.
- HangingOn - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 4:22 pm:
== the state that taxes retirement income at a higher rate Illinois taxes regular income==
Higher regular income tax, tax on retirement, according to the logic here people should be fleeing Minnesota in droves as well. Funny, doesn’t look that way. So it sounds like Illinois needs to raise income taxes so they can drop property taxes. Good point, CZ.
- Soapbox Derby - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 4:27 pm:
People are leaving this State because they are tired of paying higher taxes while the billionaires rip out toilets to save on their property taxes.
- City Zen - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 4:49 pm:
== So it sounds like Illinois needs to raise income taxes so they can drop property taxes. Good point, CZ.==
I know, and when retirees are paying those same rates, we’ll finally experience the true Minnesota success story that we all crave. Count me and all the retirees in.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 5:10 pm:
JB why has Illinois been losing population for the past 16 years, 13 of which have been under total Democratic control?
Are you saying the slide started 3 years ago?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 5:15 pm:
===been losing population for the past 16 years===
Just checked the Google and it reached its peak in 2013.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 7:03 pm:
@CZ- we are in complete agreement on retirement income being taxed. I will never understand why being retired grants you a pass on income tax. My pension income should be taxed.
I grew up in unincorporated Cook County. My parents still live there. Taxes, by any standard are reasonable there given home values.
the person cited in the press release had a unique opportunity to have a voice in his level of taxation as did others I. Homer did. The services rendered cost money. There is no free lunch. The concept that you don’t pay for them in other states is a fantasy. Plain and simple.
- Ron - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 8:23 pm:
Illinois has one of the highest state and local tax burdens in the nation right now. I believe our tax burden is higher than Minnesota already. Minnesota is a we’ll run state. It’s not a kleptocracy. There is no Madigan in Minnesota. How many many of their governors have gone to prison?
- HangingOn - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 8:36 pm:
==Count me and all the retirees in. ==
Me too. Though honestly the $13000 a year I will get at retirement isn’t really gonna help the state coffers all that much lol
- Chicago Barb - Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 8:56 pm:
I’m leaving Chicago but it isn’t taxes that are driving me out. It is the lack of affordable housing. I can’t afford to live where I want to live. I used to say I don’t want to live where I can afford, but now, there are areas I don’t want to live and I now can’t afford to live there either. So I’m leaving town and going somewhere I can buy a house for $200,000. Can’t do that here.
- HangingOn - Friday, Apr 6, 18 @ 7:34 am:
2017 Overall total tax burden by state per Wallethub:
5 Minnesota 10.24%
9 Illinois 10.00%
8 states have a higher property tax burden.