Ted Dabrowski, Republican gubernatorial candidate in Illinois, said high costs under Gov. JB Pritzker are prompting residents to leave the state and advocated for a phased property tax cap to provide relief and stem the economic exodus.
“Illinois residents are leaving the state in large numbers because of affordability concerns under Gov Pritzker administration,” said Dabrowski, Candidate for Governor. “We should phase in a one percent property tax cap on people’s homes so nobody’s property tax under assessed value should be higher than one percent. It’s what Indiana does, so we’re gonna steal from page book of Indiana. The median homeowner’s property tax bill increased by 133% in West Garfield Park, 99% in North Lawndale, and 82% in Englewood.”
According to Dabrowski, who posted his statement on X following a press conference, Illinois homeowners face the nation’s highest effective property tax rate at 1.83 percent. This results in an annual bill of $4,584 on a median-priced home of $250,500. He referenced Indiana’s model as an example of limiting property taxes on homes.
Dabrowski highlighted that Cook County residential effective tax rates range from 1.69 percent in Chicago to 4.74 percent in Harvey, with commercial rates even higher due to social initiatives and union obligations. Suburban areas like Schaumburg experience 2.31 percent residential rates, which he says exacerbates inequality as green projects divert funds from tax relief.
Nationally, Illinois ranks first for effective property tax rates at 2.07 percent, more than double the U.S. median. Dabrowski attributes this disparity to fiscal policies that fuel out-migration, noting that Illinois lost 40,017 residents domestically in 2025 amid neglected pro-growth policies.
Dabrowski previously served as president of Wirepoints and vice president of policy at the Illinois Policy Institute from 2011 to 2017. He is now running in the Republican primary for Illinois governor with a focus on tax cuts and economic reforms.
