McHenry Times

McHenry County board member Craig Wilcox said Illinois' exodus statistics are stunning.

Responding to the Illinois Policy Institute's "New IRS Data: Illinois Sees Record Loss of People, Income to Other States" report on his Facebook page, the McHenry Republican vying for the District 32 Senate seat held by Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry), who decided to not seek re-election, said Illinois' net loss of more than 86,100 citizens and loss of $4.75 billion in adjusted gross income compared to other states in 2015 is unacceptable.

“Millennials are leading the Illinois exodus because our elected leaders enact policies and approve tax hikes that diminish the opportunities to pursue dreams and build a family-focused life for the future,” Wilcox, a retired Air Force colonel, said. “At the other end of the age spectrum, retirees are being priced out of their homes by exorbitant property taxes that force them to abandon the homes they know and love.”

Wilcox said the staggering statistics have not altered Springfield actions.

“The tax-and-spend status quo passed a zero reform 32 percent tax hike that will expedite the exodus of Illinois families,” Wilcox said. “The worsening trend of out-migration is a testament to decades of poor policies and politicians who have clung to the status quo system.”

It is not just Wilcox who is worried.

“As we knocked on thousands of doors this fall, the No. 1 concern we heard was that taxes were too high,” Wilcox said. “The politicians' only answer is to hike our taxes again. It is almost as if they don’t care about our concerns.”

Change is possible, according to the candidate.

“Please help me bring your values and your fight to Springfield for you,” Wilcox said. “Together we can make Illinois a friendlier environment for businesses and taxpayers."