Rockford Sun

Illinois has become the highest-taxed state in the United States, according to WalletHub's latest annual study on state tax rates. The study evaluates all 50 states and the District of Columbia across four main tax categories: real estate, vehicle property, income, and sales excise taxes. Illinois ranked last overall, with particularly high rankings for real estate and income taxes.

The state's real estate tax rate is nearly 8%, second only to New Jersey, significantly above the national average. The report indicates that Illinois' taxes are 51.8% higher than the U.S. average, with New York following at 34.9%. Conversely, states like Alaska, Delaware, and Wyoming have lower tax rates.

WalletHub’s survey also found that 70% of Americans are more concerned about inflation than taxes. Nearly a third of respondents expressed a preference for jury duty over filing taxes. These findings add to the economic challenges faced by families and businesses in Illinois due to high tax rates.

In other legislative developments in Illinois:

Senate Republicans have voiced concerns about House Bill 3458, which they claim could effectively legalize assaults on police officers by allowing mental health crises as a defense. Proponents say it aims to protect those experiencing mental distress; however, critics argue it could be misused against law enforcement officers specifically.

Another bill under scrutiny is House Bill 2827 or the Homeschool Act. This legislation seeks to increase oversight of homeschooling families by requiring educational qualifications for parents and notifying school districts when homeschooling begins. It has sparked controversy among homeschooling advocates who see it as an infringement on parental rights.

Meanwhile, State Senator Erica Harriss has introduced Senate Bill 2091 following the death of Alton Police Department K9 Odin last August. The bill proposes stricter penalties for harming working K9 animals involved in service or law enforcement duties.