Dupage Policy Journal

Arguing that Illinois is losing favor with its own population under the duress of harsh taxation, Republican state house candidate Heidi Holan condemned two bills that would expand state government, giving illegal immigrants taxpayer-funded grants and scholarships to public universities.

Holan is running against Democrat Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park) to represent District 46, which includes parts of Villa Park, Glendale Heights, Carol Stream, and Lombard.

SB2204 allows non-U.S. citizens to sit as student trustees at Illinois’ public universities, while SB2196 gives illegal immigrant students at Illinois universities access to state funded grants, assistance, tuition waivers and scholarships.

The latter bill would require more state funding for public universities already subsidized to the tune of $1.5 billion per year.

  

"For the past 15 years Springfield has spent more of the taxpayers’ hard earned dollars than … it has received in revenue,” Holan said. “As I talk with people within my district, their top concern is finding an escape from the excessive tax burden they bear.” 

A recent study by the real estate research firm Corelogic reported Illinois has the highest property taxes in the U.S. A $200,000 home in Illinois pays $5,340 in property taxes versus $2,260 nationally.

Crying foul, Holan stated that Illinois taxpayers are most definitely unhappy, to the point where they are even considering relocating in order to survive economically.

“Many [constituents] express a desire to move out of the state and statistics reveal that they are not alone as Illinois is in a population decline,” Holan said. “People aren't looking for new programs or expanded state government.”

Public schools and institutions of higher learning repeatedly appealed to lawmakers over the past year, asking for more taxpayer money, even in the absence of a balanced budget. Holan said government needs to stop taxing and borrowing to make ends meet.

“The complete and sole focus of those in Springfield at this time should be providing a balanced budget that funds the priorities of the people they serve," Holan said.