Illinois just ranked as having the highest property tax rate in the country. Property taxes in Illinois are an especially heavy burden without the tradeoff seen in states such as Texas or New Hampshire, where there are either no sales taxes or income taxes.

Since 2017, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara has cut the property tax rate to 1.93% by cutting costs and spending smarter – a playbook other Illinois cities should copy.

If Illinois state lawmakers follow the Chicago Teachers Union’s push for a 7.92% base corporate tax rate, it can severely hurt Illinois’ competitiveness. Job creators do not need another reason to abandon Illinois.

The Chicago Teachers Union and its partners are pushing nine new or higher taxes that could end up costing Illinoisans $7.3 billion more starting July 1. Their scheme to fill a proposed state budget deficit is likely to backfire and shrink the tax base.

Deep-blue Illinois had President Biden to bail out the state’s and Chicago’s financial failings. Now city and state leaders have President Trump to blame for their financial failings. Eventually, taxpayers will be held responsible.

Illinois is dead last of the 50 states in its ability to handle a financial crisis. It couldn’t last a month. The rainy-day fund that should be its primary reserve, and that Gov. J.B. Pritzker lauded himself for refilling, could barely cover two weeks.