Jason Proctor, Republican committeeman for Chicago’s 33rd Ward, said Illinois offers a warning of progressive governance failures, citing soaring property taxes and spending on social programs and pensions as drivers of economic decline and out-migration.
“We are in the Gov Pritzker era in Illinois 7 years / 84 months of his rule that has taken us backwards, not forwards,” said Proctor, Chicago 33rd Ward Republican Committeeman. “Illinois is bloated, broken & broke. Highest property taxes. Residents and companies fleeing.”
According to an X post by Proctor, the impacts of seven years under Governor Pritzker’s administration include elevated property taxes and a projected budget shortfall. He attributed these issues to broader structural problems under Democratic leadership, emphasizing the need for electoral change to address fiscal mismanagement and promote pro-growth policies.
In Chicago, the median residential property tax bill increased by 16.7 percent to $4,457, marking the largest percentage rise in at least 30 years. South and West Side neighborhoods experienced the steepest hikes due to shifting tax burdens from declining commercial values. This surge exacerbates taxpayer strain in low-income areas, highlighting the consequences of expansive government spending without corresponding fiscal reforms.
Illinois ranks second in the nation for the highest effective property tax rate at 2.07 percent, just behind New Jersey’s 2.23 percent. This contributes to the state’s ongoing population and business exodus as residents seek relief in lower-tax jurisdictions. Nationally, high property taxes in states like Illinois underscore the burdens of funding extensive public programs without adequate pro-growth incentives.
Proctor was born in Peoria, Illinois, and has served as the Republican Committeeman for Chicago’s 33rd Ward since March 2024. He previously ran as a candidate for the Illinois State Senate’s 20th District in the 2024 special election. He holds an associate degree from Holy Cross College and works as an Advisory Systems Engineer in cyber resilience and compliance at Dell Technologies.
