East Central Reporter

The 2021 U.S. Census numbers are concerning for Illinois, with data showing that the state had one of the worst population declines in the country.

Illinois’ population dropped nearly 1% at 113,776 in 2021, according to the most recent population data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Only California and New York lost more residents in sheer number, and only New York and Washington, D.C., had higher percentage declines.

State Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Vandalia) took to Facebook to express his concern, while also plugging a report by wirepoints.org that points out that Illinois was one of only three states to have a decline in population size in the past 10 years along with West Virginia and Mississippi.

“Illinoisans. Fix your state before it's too late,” Plummer posted on Facebook. “We want an Illinois that offers safe communities & prosperity, right? We want an Illinois that grows & offers opportunity, right? Then send people to Springfield who will work hard for you. People who are honest, consistent, and transparent. People who protect your rights, your tax dollars, and your family."

He went on to criticize the current crop of politicians for not looking out for their constituents.

"Don't send people who work against you by doing, in the dead of night, what they are told to do by the party bosses and special interests," he posted. "Pay attention & hold their feet to the fire. It doesn't matter what legislators say back home. It matters what they do in Springfield.”

According to Prairie State Wire, the loss over the past year for Illinois can be attributed to migration to other states.

The Wirepoints report shows that the U.S. had its worst year growth-wise in the nation’s history, growing only by 0.1% or 392,665. It noted that the Census Bureau attributed the slow growth to a decrease in net international migration, decreased fertility and an increase in deaths due to COVID-19.

However it added that some state populations were on the rise, like Texas and Florida, which gained about 310,288 and 211,196, respectively. Other states on the rise were Arizona, North Carolina and Georgia.

Wirepoints said that New York and California lost about 319,020 and 261,902, respectively. Illinois, Massachusetts and Louisiana rounded out the bottom five in terms of population loss by the numbers. 

The Census report shows that 20 states and the District of Columbia lost residents through domestic migration, with New York, California and Illinois leading the pack in that category.