Fact check: Unemployment under Pritzker worse than Midwest, U.S.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is claiming his administration has fought for Illinois families. Since Pritzker took office, Illinois’ unemployment rate is worse compared to other states.

In a tweet announcing one-time property tax rebates, Gov. J.B Pritzker claimed Illinois is better for working families thanks to his administration.

Unemployment rates and property taxes show that is false.

“I promised to put state government back on the side of working families – and we’re doing just that,” Pritzker tweeted.

The measure for working families in Illinois is the unemployment rate. The most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates Illinois’ unemployment rate at 4.5%, the highest in the Midwest and third highest nationally.

Four years ago, Illinois’ unemployment rate matched the national rate. As of August, Illinois’ rate was nearly a full percent higher than 2019 while the national rate is back at 3.7%. The Midwest average unemployment rate is lower than it was in August 2019, meaning Illinois is a regional and national outlier.

Illinois’ labor situation puts working families at a disadvantage, making life in other states more attractive. The most common reason why Illinoisans move out of state is for work. Housing is the second reason, with many Illinoisans priced out of their homes because Illinois has the second-highest property taxes in the nation.

Illinois families paid an extra $2,288 in property taxes under Pritzker. His idea of “relief” is a one-time rebate saving families $300 at the most.

Property taxes will keep growing if Amendment 1 is approved on Nov. 8. It expands bargaining power for government union bosses to endless subjects. One provision allows government union contracts to override state law, regardless of how much it costs taxpayers.

Amendment 1 would lock Illinois’ property tax pain into the state constitution, hiking property taxes by at least $2,100 during the next four years. For many families, it will force them pack up and work in another state, whether they want to or not.