East Central Reporter

Chris Miller thinks that a new report showing more than 86,000 people fled Illinois over a recent yearlong period proves that residents have grown tired of the runaway taxes and simply aren’t going to take it anymore.  

"I spoke with hundreds of voters this fall/winter while collecting signatures to get on the ballot,” Miller recently posted on Facebook. “Their main concern with this state is the high taxes that (House Speaker) Mike Madigan and his Chicago Democrats have left us. New IRS data proves what we all know: people are not putting up with the political games anymore as a record number of taxpayers left during 2016.”

The mass exodus is coming at a cost to the state in more ways than one.

During the 2015-16 year that was surveyed, researchers found that taxpayers leaving the state came at a price of nearly $5 billion.

“New IRS data proves what we all know: people are not putting up with the political games anymore,” Miller, an Oakland Republican who has launched his campaign to replace retiring Rep. Reggie Phillips (R-Charleston) in the 110th District, added in his post. “I want to go to Springfield to improve our state's business climate, create opportunities for our children and grandchildren, and see that everyone has a chance to flourish right here in Illinois, not flee to our neighboring states."

The Illinois Policy Institute reports the net loss of nearly 42,000 tax returns over the yearlong period represents an all-time high, with millennial taxpayers leading the exodus of those seeking greener pastures.

The institute adds that the top 10 states to which Illinois lost people were Florida (12,800 exemptions gained from Illinois on net), Texas (9,400), Indiana (8,200), California (7,600), Arizona (6,400), Wisconsin (6,000), Colorado (4,700), Georgia (4,200), Tennessee (3,600) and North Carolina (2,700).