Metro East Sun

Republican House hopeful Doug Jameson isn't angry at the growing number of former Illinois residents who have now put the state in their rear-view mirrors.

“If you were in Chicago and being hit with these rising property taxes... every time you turn around, what would you do?” Jameson told the Metro East Sun. “Those that are getting out are doing the only thing (that) they feel like they can do, and there are more people wishing they could do the same when you hear things like (Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B.) Pritzker now talking about another statewide tax.”

As it is, recent data released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that 2017 was the third straight year that Chicago decreased in population, with 3,825 residents fleeing the city for what they view as greener pastures.

Republic House candidate Doug Jameson

With the upward trend of outmigration showing no signs of subsiding, some are wondering how much longer the city might be able to lay claim to its status as the country’s third largest city given that Houston grew by 8,235 residents over the same period covered in the U.S. Census Bureau estimate.

Chicago is the only one of the country’s five largest cities that lost population in 2017.

“Once I get to Springfield, I plan to spend every day fighting to keep people here,” Jameson, a Belleville Republican who is challenging Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) in the 113th District, said. “Besides looking for incentives (that) we might be able to use to keep people here in Illinois, I know we’ve got to deal with workmen’s compensation and tort reform. Both (of) those issues are impacting business conditions and are part of the reason we’re losing businesses to neighboring states.”

For the 113th District, Jameson said another part of the problem has been the way Hoffman has governed.

“He voted in favor of the 32 percent income tax hike, and he continues to not support Second Amendment rights, which is only choking off that business sector,” Jameson added. "He’s also part of the push to impose minimum salaries for school boards, which boils down to be just another unfunded mandate.”

In the end, Jameson said state lawmakers have to be willing to make the tough decisions that are needed to give the state the level of makeover it now desperately needs.

“We’re not who we’re supposed to be,” Jameson said. “Not only are we not homeowner and business friendly, we are now actually assaulting our homeowners and job creators.”