Dupage Policy Journal

Jeanne Ives, a former Illinois State Representative, expressed concerns about the state's property taxes during an appearance on the Prairie State Wire Podcast. She said that Illinois voters might not realize the impact of these taxes until they experience the consequences firsthand. "Illinois voters won’t wake up until they’re personally punished by the 'second highest property taxes that keep going up,'" Ives said.

"I don't know how else to wake up voters unless they're personally punished by the second highest property taxes that keep going up," said Jeanne M Ives, Former IL State Rep.. "By a terrible public education systems that only educate less than a third of the students. By corrupt public politicians that continue to go before federal courts. By crime that's rampant in various parts."

According to Ives, Illinois' rising property taxes are causing residents to leave the state. In her interview, she described Illinois as "a bad example to other states." She added, "What's going on? And it could be that we're at a tipping point in the state of Illinois where we're gonna look more like Rhode Island than we are going to ever, ever look like Indiana."

Illinois is ranked among the states with the highest property taxes in the United States. As reported by Chicago Agent Magazine, as of 2025, the state's effective property tax rate is 2.07%, second only to New Jersey. On a median-priced home valued at $250,500, an Illinois homeowner pays approximately $5,189 annually in property taxes—more than double the national average of $2,969.

The state has around 7,000 local government units—the most in the nation—which include various taxing bodies such as school districts and municipalities. According to an Illinois Policy study, two-thirds of property tax revenue funds public education and also covers unfunded pension liabilities for government workers. This system has led to property taxes increasing at a rate faster than household income growth, creating financial challenges for homeowners and prompting some to consider relocating.

Ives is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in various military roles before entering politics. She served three terms as an Illinois State Representative and was known for her conservative leadership and taxpayer advocacy. Ives ran for Governor of Illinois in 2018 and Congress in 2020. She founded Breakthrough Ideas to advance conservative networks and hosts "The Real Story with Jeanne Ives" on AM 560 Chicago.