Ted Dabrowski, candidate for governor of Illinois, said the state should adopt a residential tax limit modeled on a neighboring state’s policy to address resident departures tied to high costs under the current administration.
“Illinois residents are leaving the state in large numbers because of affordability concerns under Gov Pritzker administration,” said Dabrowski, Gubernatorial Candidate. “We should phase in a one percent property tax cap on people’s homes so nobody’s property tax under assessed value should be higher than one percent. It’s what Indiana does, so we’re gonna steal from page book of Indiana.”
According to Dabrowski’s post on X, Illinois should consider implementing a residential tax limit. He referenced remarks from a press conference addressing resident outmigration and high tax burdens. His statement included a call for reforms and linked to an interview providing further details.
Indiana’s property tax caps currently limit bills to 1% of gross assessed value for homesteads, 2% for other residential and agricultural land, and 3% for remaining property types. The system provides credits when taxes exceed these thresholds, stabilizing costs for property owners without altering local rates. This approach helps retain residents amid regional tax differences.
Illinois ranks second nationwide in property tax rates, with families paying more than double the U.S. average. This contributes to sustained population declines. Census data revealed that 95 percent of 2024 outmigrants relocated to lower-tax states, highlighting fiscal pressures under current policies. Indiana’s capped system offers a model for relief by reducing incentives to leave.
In 2025, over 40,000 Illinoisans departed domestically, offset by international arrivals. High taxes are frequently cited in surveys as the primary reason for departure. Unlike Illinois’ elevated property levies, Indiana’s framework reimburses governments via income taxes for credits while maintaining services and capping individual bills. This approach has fostered economic stability in Indiana.
Dabrowski’s parents immigrated to Chicago from Poland and Ecuador. Before leading Wirepoints as president, he worked as vice president of policy at the Illinois Policy Institute. He launched his gubernatorial bid in September 2025.
