Dupage Policy Journal

Ajay Gupta, a candidate for Illinois House District 41, has emphasized the need for fiscal restraint, pension reform, and competitive tax policies to address the state's high taxes and population loss. Gupta's remarks were made during an interview.

"I am a Naperville resident, an immigrant, a tax lawyer, a financial economist, and the common-sense candidate for state representative in Illinois House District 41," said Gupta. "I fully understand the urgency of restoring fiscal sanity to Illinois. Illinois' property taxes and gasoline taxes are among the highest in the nation. Illinois faces a fork in the road. Common-sense policies embracing spending restraint, pension reform, and competitive taxation could turn the situation around."

Illinois is grappling with significant financial challenges, including high taxes and budget pressures, which have contributed to a notable population decline. According to the Illinois Policy Institute, residents are currently facing the nation's highest combined state and local tax burden at $13,099 per household—equivalent to 16.5% of median income. Between 2018 and 2023, more than 460,000 people left Illinois in search of lower-tax states such as Florida, Texas, and Indiana.

The state also has the highest property tax rate in the country at approximately 1.83% of home value, surpassing the national average. The Illinois Policy Institute reports that Illinois ranks near the top nationally for sales, gasoline, and income taxes. These factors contribute to one of the most expensive tax environments in the United States and raise affordability concerns across communities in Illinois.

Persistent population decline remains a critical issue for Illinois. Census data indicates that over 400,000 residents left the state from 2018 to 2023. According to the Illinois Policy Institute, many outbound movers relocated to states with lower taxes and cost of living. While international migration has partially offset these losses, demographic changes continue to be central in fiscal and political debates.

Gupta is a Naperville resident with extensive experience as an attorney specializing in tax and white-collar law. He holds degrees from prestigious institutions including Harvard (JD), NYU (LLM in Tax), Yale (MBA), and Stanford (MA). His professional background includes roles as a federal prosecutor, economic consultant, policy commentator, and adjunct law professor. Gupta is campaigning for State Representative with a focus on restoring fiscal sanity by implementing spending caps tied to inflation and population growth, enacting pension reforms, and reducing taxes that he believes are driving residents and employers out of Illinois.