Contrast between state, nation on taxes

With Tax Day now behind us, we see the stark contrast between the tax policies of our state and of our federal government. There is also a correlated contrast with the relative economic health of our state and our nation as a whole.

Illinois has the highest tax burden of any state in the nation. We have the second highest property taxes of all states. This has resulted in a net outward migration of residents and jobs. A Paul Simon Public Policy Institute survey shows 47 percent of Illinois residents want to leave the state.

While jobs nationwide have been increasing rapidly, Illinois has the country's 47th worst unemployment rate. We live in one of the few states where there are fewer people working today than before the Great Recession. Nationally there are more people employed today than ever in the history of our country. And wages are rising.

The recent federal personal and corporate tax cuts that were helped put in place by our own Congressman Peter Roskam are driving higher job growth for Americans. Nationally we have the fewest unemployment claims in 44 years. The contrast of a flourishing nation with lower taxes and a struggling Illinois with a high tax burden is a sad one for the people in our state.

Roy Platz

Naperville