State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) senses a pattern in Illinois’ growing outmigration crisis.
“Just as we are seeing an exodus from Chicago to suburbs such as DuPage County, it’s not surprising that people are leaving Illinois for states that as a general rule have better-run governments,” Mazzochi told the DuPage Policy Journal. “Some of the perks are lower taxes, safer neighborhoods and communities that are interested in people having better jobs and economic opportunities.”
Given Springfield’s dysfunction, Mazzochi insists she’s not the least bit surprised by the latest U.S. Census Bureau data that finds Illinois is one of only four states to have lost population over the last decade. With researchers pegging the number in the neighborhood of 170,000 residents, data also shows that at least 93 of the state’s 102 counties have also lost population, topped by Cook County’s nearly 49,000 residents.
Finally, at least 10 different counties have lost at least 5,000 residents each over that time and Mazzochi worries thing may actually get worse before they get better.
“All we’ve heard from Gov. (J.B.) Pritzker and House Speaker (Mike) Madigan are more threats about tax increases,” she said. “What we haven’t heard are calls for structural reforms to things like the pension system and other things that are not cost sustainable. I think that the fair tax amendment going down in defeat shows that there is a lack of trust that people have with the insider class in Illinois.”
Deeper analysis shows that downstate counties have particularly been hard hit, with the region losing 144,000 residents or 3.2% of its 2010 population over the same time period. In addition, data shows the losses in Cook County represent the second worst losses of residents in any country across the country, with only Wayne County in Michigan losing more people.
Mazzochi sees only one way forward.
“If we really want to turn the state around, we have to show we are serious meaningful about structural reform,” she said. “We’re already seeing the adverse consequences of politicians kicking the can down the road. Right now, there’s no further room to kick the can so we might as well start getting serious about getting our fiscal house in order.”
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