Champaign County lost 2,102 residents in 2016, contributing to a statewide trend that saw more residents leave Illinois than any other state, the Illinois Policy Institute and Chicago Tribune said recently.
Michael Lucci, the institute’s vice president of policy, who joined the organization in 2013 with a financial background, tweeted a chart showing the Illinois counties that have seen the most residents leave lately. He also noted that 93 out of Illinois' 102 counties -- or 91 percent -- have been affected.
The Chicago Tribune said Illinois has seen more residents leave than any other state for three consecutive years, from 2014 to 2016. The paper said this will likely negatively impact those who remain, as they will see federal and state funding for their areas drop and taxes increase to make up for the smaller pool of taxpayers.
Through informal surveying of some residents, the Tribune found that many left due to high taxes, the Springfield budget stalemate, unemployment rates and the weather. Many head for Sun Belt states, like Texas, Florida and Arizona, which have affordable housing and more job opportunities.
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