Chris Miller, an Oakland farmer running in the Republican primary in House District 110, has something to say about the property tax burden on Illinois residents.
Earlier this month, Miller posed this question to District 110 residents on his Facebook page: "Property taxes are just too darn high around here – do you agree?"
Miller cited an Illinois Policy article estimating a 50 percent jump in property taxes over seven years, a period in which taxes grew six times faster than household incomes.
Miller elaborated about how bad things are and how rising property taxes hurt the state in an interview with the East Central Reporter. "The problem is that there is a mass exodus," Miller said, calling current property tax rates "ridiculous."
He also suggested the trend may continue. "If they don't reform that, then the exodus is going to continue," Miller said.
Miller also talked about "missed opportunities" and suggested that many businesses are afraid to invest in Illinois. "It's because they know how mismanaged we are (in Illinois)" Miller said.
As the election approaches, Miller, who is running for the seat being vacated by Rep. Reggie Phillips (R-Charleston), is talking to voters about the fiscal realities in their state and in their communities, and taking the fight to a political system he says has not worked well for the average family.
Miller, a lifelong Illinois native, graduated from Oakland High School and acquired a bachelor’s degree in education from Eureka College and an associate degree in agriculture from Lakeland College.
"My family and I are amazed by the number of people who are joining our campaign to lower taxes, reform government, and stand up for our values," Miller said in a release earlier this year. "I aim to ... put the people of this district and their best interests first. I’m running to fight for our conservative family values in Springfield."
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