Kane County Reporter

Dan Ugaste is convinced the biggest problem now crippling the Illinois economy is a government that refuses to so much as even acknowledge many of its most pressing issues.

A new IRS study reveals more than 86,000 people left the state at an adjusted gross income loss of nearly $5 billion over a yearlong period, a trend that was largely fueled by the state’s burdensome tax system and ongoing pension liability crisis.

“It seems clear the reason people are leaving the state of Illinois is the lack of new job opportunities, the never-ending increase in taxes and fees, the ever-increasing spending, borrowing and debt liability, and most importantly, the perceived unwillingness of government to even address these problems,” Ugaste told the Kane County Reporter.  

In addition, the IRS study, a recent Paul Simon Public Policy Institute survey found that nearly 50 percent of all Illinois residents now want to leave the state, with taxes being cited as the No. 1 reason.

Data composed by the IRS also found the cash-strapped state experienced a loss of nearly 42,000 tax returns to other states over the 2015-2016 year, equating to an all-time high in lost exemptions.

Researchers noted Millennials are leading the charge for greener pastures, with the top 10 states to which Illinois lost population being Florida (12,800 exemptions gained from Illinois on net), Texas (9,400), Indiana (8,200), California (7,600), Arizona (6,400), Wisconsin (6,000), Colorado (4,700), Georgia (4,200), Tennessee (3,600) and North Carolina (2,700), according to the report.

“We need to stop raising taxes, be it property, sales or income taxes,” Ugaste said. “We need to stop spending more than we bring in, and we need to cut spending to accommodate a debt restructuring and repayment plan, which includes pension liabilities. These are painful financial realities we need to face, but that’s what happens when you sign employment contracts and borrow money with no regard for who is going to repay it all. The real shame is that the Democrats who ran up these credit debts over the last 40 years are now going to run like thieves in the night leaving our children and grandchildren to suffer the consequences. They are resigning and retiring in droves.”

Ugaste, who is running to replace retiring Rep. Steve Andersson (R-Geneva) in the 65th District, added he feels he is going to Springfield to help defuse what he described as a “ticking financial time bomb” exacerbated by a system run to the benefit of just a handful.

“The reversal of the drain of people, talent and income from Illinois can only be solved by attacking the problems at the source, which include the financial instability and irresponsibility of government and an unfriendly business climate,” he said. “We must stop excessive spending, and excessive taxation, we must incorporate a long-term plan to resolve our debt - and stick to it - and we must reform our workers' compensation laws in order to return Illinois to its pro-growth status.”

The 65th District includes Geneva, St. Charles, Pingree Grove and Hampshire.