Illinois State Representative Mike Coffey announced on May 19 that the state is facing rising unemployment rates, continued business departures, high tax burdens, and public safety concerns.
These issues are significant for residents and businesses across Illinois. Rising joblessness in key metro areas may signal economic challenges ahead. Meanwhile, longstanding companies leaving the state could affect local economies and employment opportunities.
According to a recent report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security working with federal data, unemployment in greater Chicago has reached 5.0%. Several other metro areas have surpassed a 6.0% unemployment rate. The number of active nonfarm payroll jobs dropped in most regions compared to last year.
Morton Salt has completed its move from Chicago to Overland Park, Kansas. The company joins other major firms such as Caterpillar, Sears, Boeing, and Citadel that have left Illinois in recent years. Coffey said about this trend: “We must take a serious approach about crafting policies that are business-friendly or we will continue to see an exodus of businesses move to other states,” adding “Democrats should be focused on growing business in the state of Illinois instead of raising taxes and pulling out more red tape that kills opportunities.”
Coffey also addressed tax issues by pointing out that “We must end the trend of Democrats overspending and using the pockets of taxpayers to fund bad public policies.” He called for cooperation with House Republicans “to bring affordability back to our state.” According to WalletHub data cited by Coffey’s office, Illinois households paid nearly 17% in combined state and local taxes last year—higher than any other state—with property taxes at an effective rate more than double the national median.
Crime was another focus for Coffey’s statement. Data from Cook County shows nearly one out of twelve criminal defendants released pre-trial on electronic monitoring have gone missing; some have allegedly committed violent crimes while unaccounted for. In response, Coffey filed House Bill 4275 aiming “to give judges the ability to detain offenders accused of a felony offense” so repeat offenders are not let back into communities. “Sheriff Crouch, State’s Attorney Milhiser and I share the same objective – to make our communities in Sangamon County and across Illinois safer,” said Rep. Coffey.
Coffey was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 95th House District in 2023 after replacing Tim Butler according to the Illinois General Assembly.
