Metro East Sun

Doug Jameson is working hard trying to get Illinois voters to channel their anger into action.

“Talking to voters, they’re angry and upset about all these property taxes eating into their family budgets and turning things upside down,” Jameson told the Metro East Sun. “Down here in the Metro East, we have outmigration higher than the state average. Everyone is steering clear of Illinois. People say the cost of government outweighs just about every other reason to be here.”

Bailey is not surprised by the results of a recent Realtor.com survey that found Illinois now has the second highest property taxes in the country with rates for some even exceeding their regular mortgage payments, he said.

“These are critical times for Illinois,” said Jameson, running against Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) in the 113th District. “Many people are waiting to see what happens in November’s election to figure out what their next move needs to be. Democrats are now proposing a progressive tax, and that could be a catalytic event that pushes even more people out of this state.”

From July 2016 to July 2017, the state lost at least one person every 4.6 minutes to outmigration and since 2010 nearly 643,000 residents have fled the state, Illinois Policy Institute states. 

With overall population declining in each of the last four years, Illinois recently fell behind Pennsylvania and out of the country’s top five states with the largest population.

Jameson, who was recently endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, said he still has hope.

“I’m a firm believer in a free market economy and if we can reduce regulations that could open it up for businesses to expand and that increases the tax base, which is a surefire way to increase revenue without taxing people,” Jameson said. “We have to focus on business development, adding jobs, doing what increases the tax base. That’s the only way out of this abyss.”

The 113th District includes all or parts of Brooklyn, Caseyville, Fairmont City, Pontoon Beach, Shiloh, Swansea and Washington Park.