Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Pontiac) | Photo Courtesy of Rep. Tom Bennett website
Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Pontiac) | Photo Courtesy of Rep. Tom Bennett website
The 2020 U.S. Census brought unfortunate news for Illinois: the Prairie State experienced a population loss for the first time in 200 years. The state will lose a seat in Congress as a result, and many lawmakers are frustrated with the factors that they feel are driving the population loss.
In an April 29 IL House GOP update, state Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Watseka) pointed at the state's lack of job growth and career opportunities as the reasons that Illinoisans are leaving the state for greener pastures.
"This week Illinois learned that we will be losing a seat in Congress next year," Bennett said. "Illinois has had a problem with out-migration for years. More people are moving out than moving in, and it's because the job creation climate is so much better in other states."
The Prairie State's population falls by 40,000-60,000 people per year, according to Prairie State Wire.
Most people leaving Illinois are between 25 and 54 years old, professional and skilled people looking for work.
Illinois Policy estimates that Illinois has lost $78 billion in economic revenue since 2007 as a result of people seeking better job offers elsewhere.
"People go where the opportunities are," Bennett said.
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