North Cook News

Katie Miller, a Republican candidate in the 53rd House District, said out-migration and partisan party control in Illinois must change now. 

The Mount Prospect Republican running to replace retiring Rep. David Harris (R-Arlington Heights), responding to the Illinois Policy report, “New IRS Data: Illinois Sees Record Loss of People, Income to Other States,” told the North Cook News, and expressed on Facebook, that while walking in her district many voters expressed concern about the ever-increasing taxes in Illinois.

“The politicians' only answer is to hike our taxes again. They don’t listen to our concerns,” Miller said. “This has driven people to choose to leave Illinois or think about it.”

Seeking the 53rd District seat, which covers Prospect Heights and Mount Prospect, the longtime nurse, wife, and mother, said data shows millennials are leading the Illinois exodus.

“Because of the failure of our elected leaders, young people are fleeing Illinois for states where they have opportunities to pursue their dreams and build a life for themselves,” Miller said, adding, it’s not just millennials who are fleeing. “Retirees are being priced out of their homes by ever-increasing property taxes that are forcing them out of Illinois and leaving the communities they know and love.”

Miller said Democrats and “turncoat Republicans” joined hands last summer to pass a 32 percent tax hike that will increase the rate of Illinois families leaving the state.

“They failed to do their job,” Miller said. “The politicians in Illinois forget that they work for the people in their districts. With our spending problems, highest property taxes in the nation, unfunded pension systems and weak economic growth, it’s no wonder people are leaving as fast as they can.”

The House hopeful said GOP or Democrat, many politicians in Illinois are the same.

“Most of the politicians are thinking of what they need to do to get re-elected. They are looking out for the special interest.” Miller said. “We need to have lawmakers who are advocating for the people in their districts. The representatives need to decide who they feel with lead the state in the right direction.”

Change is a must, according to the candidate.

“We need lawmakers and leaders in Springfield that will make the hard decisions to decrease taxes and cut spending,” Miller said, adding incumbent lawmakers feel they are above the rules. “That is why Illinois is in the mess that it is in. sexual harassment, over taxation, and wasteful spending.”

Miller said she is part of that change.

“I am planning to be an advocate for the taxpayers in our district and Illinois,” Miller said. “I am going to change Illinois to decrease the tax burden on the people of Illinois and make friendlier to businesses."