McHenry Times

State Representative Steven Reick has shared information regarding Illinois' population trends, stating in an October 23 Facebook post, "Yet, Democrats continue to lie about these numbers so they don't have to face the reality that their party's policies drive people away from the state."

"According to IRS data, Illinois has lost a net 1.6 million people to out-migration since the year 2000," said Reick, according to Facebook. "Yet, Democrats continue to lie about these numbers so they don't have to face the reality that their party's policies drive people away from the state."

According to Reick's Facebook post, he referenced an October 22 article from Wirepoints titled "Pritzker Administration repeats its mother of all whoppers: ‘Illinois is not losing people’." The article attributes part of this statement to Illinois Deputy Governor Andy Manar. However, Wirepoints staff argue that this claim is not new and has been previously made by Governor JB Pritzker and his allies. They say the census data Manar referred to is four years old and note that the decennial census recorded a loss of 18,124 people over ten years. Furthermore, since 2014, census data began indicating a population decline.

Screenshot of State Representative Steven Reick's Oct. 23 Facebook post | State Representative Steve Reick Facebook page

Wirepoints also examined Internal Revenue Service (IRS) migration data. The article states that in 2022, Illinois experienced a net loss of 87,000 residents, with 175,000 moving into the state and 262,000 leaving.

Wirepoints is not alone in questioning claims about Illinois' population stability. The Center Square addressed this issue in an October 19 article. This piece included a full quote from Manar during a panel discussion with the Better Government Association: "There has never been more people living in the state of Illinois than there is today. The Census is the Census. There’s a thing called the Post Enumeration Survey which shows Illinois gained population. It’s a correction," Manar said.

The Center Square also interviewed Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski, who disputed Manar's assertion and emphasized that Illinois policymakers need to acknowledge the state's population decline and focus on policies to mitigate it.

ABC20 reported that only 14 counties in Illinois saw growth. Specifically, Champaign County lost 525 residents; Sangamon County saw a decrease of 660 residents; and Adams County lost 115 residents.

Reick has long-standing ties to Illinois as a resident. He graduated from Herscher High School and later attended the University of Illinois, earning a bachelor's degree in accountancy. He further obtained both a Juris Doctor and master's degree in accountancy and taxation from the University of Georgia. Elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2016, he currently represents the state's 63rd House District according to his official biography.