Doug Jameson frets over the way Illinois has become different from virtually every other state in the country.
“I’m not surprised by the frustration everyone feels when you compare the state’s economic recovery stats to the rest of the country,” Jameson told the Metro East Sun. “Illinois is lagging far behind everyone else, especially the other states in this area, because of our high property taxes. That plays a role in everything and speaks to why we are under such a dark cloud.”
A new Pew Charitable Trusts study concludes that the state is now home to the second slowest personal income growth in the nation over the last decade. At 0.7 percent after adjusting for inflation, Illinois is tied with Mississippi for next to last and rates ahead of only Connecticut. The national average is more than two times higher at 1.6 percent.
Rep. Jay Hoffman
“I’ve knocked on more than 20,000 doors during my campaigning,” said Jameson, who is running against Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) in the 113th House District. “I can tell you the biggest issue for people is taxes and as the problem becomes more pronounced more people are being driven away. If we’re going to save Illinois, we need to get more fired up about firing (House Speaker) Mike Madigan. He’s the longest-serving speaker in history and his policies have been a death knell for this state.”
Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) attributes many of the state’s ongoing financial woes to a pair of record-breaking income tax hikes that have come over the last several years, property tax increases and rising pension liabilities.
IPI estimates that the tax hike of 2011 ultimately led to a loss of nearly $56 billion in real GDP. The more recent tax increase will have the same level of consequences, IPI states.
The 113th House District includes Madison and St. Clair counties.
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