New data from the Internal Revenue Service shows that in 2022 alone, more than 87,000 Illinoisans, faced with some of the highest taxes in the nation, relocated to other states. This exodus saw nearly $10 billion in income leaving Illinois, significantly impacting the state’s economic landscape. Meanwhile, the City of Chicago has earned the unfortunate distinction of having the third-highest rate of domestic population loss in the country, underscoring a broader pattern of outmigration.

Illinois’ high tax burden has long been a critical factor driving residents to seek refuge in more tax-friendly states. This spring, Governor J.B. Pritzker made it clear that working families are unlikely to see meaningful tax cuts any time soon, signing nearly $1 billion in tax hikes into law to fund spending on the migrant crisis he invited.

Senate Republicans argue that the continued high tax burden on working families and misplaced policy priorities are key contributors to the ongoing population decline. Senate Republicans assert that state leaders must recognize that current policies are driving residents away and focus on enacting genuine relief and reforms to help Illinoisans.