North Cook News

Katie Miller said the state losing approximately one resident every 5 minutes is unacceptable. 

Miller, the Mt. Prospect Republican seeking the seat of retiring Rep. David Harris (R-Arlington Heights), in responding to the Illinois Policy report “Rising property tax burdens squeeze Illinois families,” told the North Cook News the out-migration is occurring because middle-income families are watching their savings being depleted as property taxes increase and investments in home equity decline.

“The effective rate is a percentage of a property’s value – either its assessed value or its estimated market value – paid in property taxes during a given year and these values are often distorted as seen in a recent report on Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios,” Miller said.

Too many units of government cause this distortion, Miller, who is running in the GOP primary in the 53rd House District seat, which includes Prospect Heights and Mt. Prospect, said.

“We have close to 7,000 units (of government),” Miller said. “We need to look at these units and consolidate some. This would decrease bureaucracy.”

Miller said if elected, she would demand a property tax cap at 1-percent on a home's value and require voter approval for any future property tax increases.

“These are reforms that would bring certainty and stability for homeowners across the state,” Miller said. “Enough of politicians using the American dream to finance their special interest.”

In the meantime, Miller said incumbents need to act now.

“Legislators in Illinois need to start to focus on the taxpayers,” Miller said. "We need to start cutting wasteful spending, and we need to look at the spending problem we have.”

Miller, who has vowed to be a “true activist,” said along with out-migration, Illinois mismanagement by incumbent politicians has also harmed college affordability, workers' compensation costs and the pension system, all problems she will address as a Springfield official.

“We need to get taxing and spending under control, so people can see a future for themselves in Illinois,” Miller said.