She read the recent unemployment numbers and noticed that while the unemployment rate shrank, the workforce also diminished. Unemployment dropped because the workforce is leaving.
“People are leaving Illinois by the droves – high property taxes, mandates that are restrictive on businesses and irresponsible government that is causing families economic pain,” Holan said in a statement released to DuPage Policy Journal. “About 10,000 Illinoisans a year have being fleeing the state, taking their work skills and economic contributions with them.”
Nolan said she believes that the state can do better to address the out-migration. In fact, she is leading by example by setting up several tax forums as a means to reach out to the residents of District 46. The forum aims to aid homeowners and voters with their tax concerns and other issues.
“People are very concerned about their rising property taxes, especially in the face of current home values and an escalating cost of living,” Holan stated. “The Chicago Tribune recently reported that Illinois has the highest median property tax rate in the nation. The average DuPage County homeowner pays over $6,000 in property taxes and the city with the highest tax assessment rate is Glendale Heights, all of which is in District 46. Residents want to know what they can do about it.”
The meetings have proved to be a useful and beneficial for residents.
“Providing this opportunity to learn what makes up our property tax bill and to hear about some of the policies inflicting the pain in this tax is the first step in changing the situation," Holan said. "Homeowners are upset and they want answers.”
The candidate asserted that she is committed to helping the people of District 46 find solutions. She said she believes in action rather than waiting for Springfield to ponder on the thought of action. The lethargic progress in the capital over the budget has already affected many programs aimed at helping the most vulnerable. Among those programs are services aimed at helping women such as rape crisis centers, prenatal care and assistance for low-income single mothers. Those programs are in danger of closing because they depend on state funding.
Holan has seen what the state’s inaction can do, witnessing first hand the detrimental consequences it has in DuPage County. She imparts some cold, hard facts: The county has more than 28,000 women who are out of work with approximately 12,000 of the unemployed women possessing a college degree or higher and 26,000 of the women holding a high school diploma.
“In Villa Park, there are over 1,000 women living in poverty and twice that many in Glendale Heights,” Holan stated
The candidate recalled a meeting one of her staffers had with a middle-aged woman who is moving from Villa Park to Wisconsin because the woman can no longer afford the taxes on her single-family home. The woman asserted that she'll pay $1,500 in taxes for a large a farmhouse property as opposed to several thousand here in Illinois for a relatively small 1920s bungalow and a lot. With businesses and jobs leaving Illinois, many residents believe they have no option but to follow, Holan said.
The candidate stated that voters are angry at Michael Madigan, Speaker of the Illinois House. Voters don’t care about the political games. They want change.
“They are angry that Mike Madigan is wasting both time and our money," Holan said. "If we don’t change the people making policy, then the policies will not change. It’s time to quit enabling Madigan and his enablers. It’s time to clean house in District 46.”
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