Dupage Policy Journal

Deanne Mazzochi, candidate for state representative in the 45th District, recently weighed in on the issue of high taxes in Illinois. 

Mazzochi criticized Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s management of federal COVID relief funds and PPP loans during the pandemic. 

"Since the Illinois Auditor General found $1.9 billion in fraud involving those funds I wouldn't give him high marks," Mazzochi told DuPage Policy Journal. The Governor is very good at delivering soundbites, but when it actually comes to managing funds it's just been scandal after scandal."

Illinois' property tax rate is the second highest in the nation at 2.27%, behind only New Jersey, according to a June report by Rocket Mortgage. The owner of a $194,500 home in Illinois will pay $4,942 annually in property taxes. 30 states have property tax rates lower than 1%.

"When I go door one of most common complaints I hear is about property taxes. It's one thing when you get great service for your money, but the reality is here in Illinois property taxes are driving seniors out of their homes," Mazzochi said. 

Governor Pritzker doubled Illinois' gas tax from 19 cents to 38 cents in 2019, according to Fox News. Pritzker also instituted an annual gas tax increase. Illinois Democrats passed legislation postponing this year's scheduled gas tax increase of 2.2 cents from July to January, Fox News reported.

The gas tax increase delay was part of a bundle of tax rebates and delays in the record $46.5 billion FY 23 budget, according to Illinois Policy. The tax rebates and delays will save the average Illinois family $556. The 2.2 cents increase to the gas tax will take effect on Jan. 2023, and will be followed by another increase in July 2023, likely of 3.8 cents per gallon, bringing Illinois' total gasoline tax up to 45.2 cents per gallon.

Mazzochi thinks that the move doesn't go far enough to help Illinois families and is calling for more permanent gas tax reforms. 

"I think if democrats in Springfield were interested in real reform they would have pursued legislation that I co-sponsored where we put in a place a permanent cap on the Illinois gas tax," Mazzochi said. "It's not unexpected that they pretend to be your friend before an election when it comes to your taxes."

When asked to describe the impact of the recent tax relief measures on her constituents, Mazzochi said, "Anytime our district residents can keep more of their money, they're probably better off. Again, we need to find ways to give people more permanent relief and not force people into having to work two jobs just to be able to make ends meet."

A March report by WalletHub found that Illinois has the tenth overall highest tax burden in the nation at 9.7%. The report weighed property taxes, income taxes, and sales and excise taxes.