North Cook News

As Illinois' debt continues to rise, the budget has far from decreased, leaving the state struggling to come up with the income its needs to fund its various spending projects—including its public pension.

Even with some of the highest property taxes in the nation, a group of economists from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago have suggested the idea of a 1 percent statewide property tax increase. While this may not seem like much money in the grand scheme, it will make living in the heavily taxed state even more expensive for residents who are already overburdened.

Jillian Rose Bernas, a Republican candidate for the 56th House District, commented on the proposed tax and what it would mean for residents.

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"I oppose the statewide property tax proposed by three authors at the Federal Reserve of Chicago," Bernas told the North Cook News. "These individuals clearly do not understand the struggles of homeowners in this state, and they make some strong assumptions in the article. To start, how can we trust ruling-class politicians to pay down pension liabilities with these tax revenues? They have failed us each and every time in the past."

Bernas believes that this tax increase will do little to solve the budget problems and will actually create another problem.

"Our state is experiencing consecutive years of population loss," Bernas said. "This increase in property tax will force those that can leave the state to leave. Finally, this will disproportionately impact struggling communities that are already paying some of the highest property taxes. Placing another burdensome property tax on top of the current property taxes... will only make the state’s fiscal problems worse."

Bernas stated that Illinois already lost 700,000 residents over the last 10 years and this statewide tax will most certainly cause that number to increase, simply because they will not have the means to remain in the state.

"This is not a solution for our state," Bernas said "Smart people in our state should use their energy to propose reforms that better position our state instead of support their special interests. I am running to propose reforms in taxes, lower regulations and remove mandates."

If elected, Bernas plans to hold lawmakers in Springfield accountable for their actions.