Families, Homeowners and Small Businesses Being Taxed Out of Illinois

GraniteCityGossip.com November 17, 2025

A recent claim circulating online suggests that the average Illinois family of four pays nearly $5,000 more in taxes than before Governor JB Pritzker (D) took office. That breaks down to about $1,237 per person. Let’s unpack the numbers, the context, and what Illinois residents can expect going forward.

Since Governor Pritzker took office in 2019, Illinois’ state budget has grown dramatically. His proposed FY 2025 budget totals $52.7 billion, up from $39 billion in FY 2019, an increase of nearly $13 billion.

To fund this expansion, the FY 2025 budget includes $898 million in new taxes and fees, including:

A $526 million hike in business taxes.
A $93 million increase in sports betting taxes.
A $200 million reduction in revenue sharing with local governments, which may lead to higher local taxes or service cuts.

These changes affect both businesses and individuals, especially through indirect costs passed on to consumers.

* A proposed 6.25% services tax on everyday essentials like haircuts and auto repairs, will increase the negative impact even more.

The recently passed Chicago mass transit bailout package, backed by Illinois Democrats, adds further pressure. It includes new fees and funding mechanisms to stabilize the CTA, Metra, and Pace systems. While not a direct tax on all residents, it contributes to the broader cost landscape.

A poll conducted by Illinois Policy Institute found that 60% of Illinois voters cited “high taxes” as their top complaint about Governor Pritzker’s administration. This aligns with long-standing concerns about affordability and cost-of-living in the state.

While there’s no official state report confirming the $5,000 figure, it appears to be a political estimate based on cumulative increases in:

State and local taxes.
Fees and surcharges.
Inflation-adjusted costs since 2019.

For some families, especially homeowners and small business owners, the number may be plausible. But it’s not a universal average backed by state data.

The bottom line is, Illinois residents have seen a steady rise in taxes and fees under Governor Pritzker, driven by expanded state spending and new revenue measures. Whether the increase totals $5,000 per family depends on income, location, and lifestyle, but the trend is clear: costs are up, and voters are paying attention.

Source Notes:

Illinois Senate GOP press release, May 21, 2025.
Illinois Review, May 31, 2025.
Illinois Policy Institute poll, Spring 2025.

Note: Source links may expire or be removed. All summaries are based on publicly available reporting as of November 2025.