House candidate Trussell on Illinois property taxes: 'We have the highest property taxes in America'

Stephanie Trussell, Republican candidate for Illinois House District 42, said property owners in Illinois face high tax burdens that could put their homes at risk even after mortgages are paid.

"Pritzker accuses Republicans of not caring about “the vulnerable," said Trussell. "All property owners in Illinois are vulnerable to Democrats raising property taxes at will. We have the highest property taxes in America. Imagine working hard to pay off your mortgage then losing it to taxes."

According to Trussell's post on X, she highlighted property taxes in Illinois using data from the Illinois Policy Institute. The chart showed median property taxes in collar counties such as Lake at $6,881 and DuPage at $6,274, based on data from 2011 to 2015. She attributed these increases to Democratic leadership.

In Illinois, the effective property tax rate is currently 2.07 percent, making it the second highest in the nation behind New Jersey. Homeowners in areas like Cook County face median annual taxes exceeding $4,500. These rates contribute to financial pressures on families as local governments use these funds for schools and services. This situation has sparked discussions about potential reforms.

Across the United States, effective property tax rates average around 0.9 percent. New Jersey leads with a rate of 2.23 percent, followed by Illinois at 2.07 percent and Connecticut at 1.92 percent. Conversely, states like Hawaii and Alabama have lower rates under 0.4 percent due to varying local funding needs for education and infrastructure.

Trussell is running for the Illinois House of Representatives District 42 seat with a primary election scheduled for March 2026. She previously ran for lieutenant governor in 2022 alongside Darren Bailey and is focusing her campaign on economic reopening, school policies, and family values.