Quincy Reporter

Quincy activist Mecki Kosin isn’t surprised by new U.S. Census Bureau data that finds the struggling state of Illinois is only one of four to have lost population over the last decade.

“I have many friends that have moved to Missouri because of all the taxes,” Kosin told The Quincy Reporter. “Property taxes, sales taxes and all the others are just too expensive and have an impact on everything else. All the regulations on businesses don’t help either.”

Meanwhile the state’s pool of fleeing residents grows larger by the day, nearing 170,000 residents over the last decade. This includes almost 49,000 residents from Cook County alone. 

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) | Wikipedia commons

Of the state’s 102 counties, at least 93 of them have experienced population decline over that same time, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Overall, as many as 10 different counties have lost a minimum of 5,000 residents, with Kosin putting much of the blame squarely at the feet of Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D).

 “The Illinois legislature has never been more dysfunctional,” Kosin said. “I don’t think anyone listens to the governor anymore. I think everyone has come to realize how big of a hypocrite he is and how dishonest he can be.”

As it is, downstate counties have been among the hardest hit regions, losing in the neighborhood of 144,000 residents since 2010 or 3.2% of its population from that time.

Kosin argues change can’t come without change coming to Springfield and state leadership.

"I really believe if we can get Mike Madigan out as house speaker we might have a chance to turn things around,” Kosin said. “With Madigan gone, people might actually start to feel they can breathe again and not be forced to follow the words of a tyrant.”