Staff Reports
New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that Illinois’ biggest cities are still experiencing a decline in population. But Governor J.B. Pritzker is denying these federal estimates, claiming that the state has actually gained population. He asserted that the post enumeration survey revealed an undercount in the state, resulting in an inaccurate representation of the population loss. Despite his claims, the official Census page for Illinois shows a population of 12.8 million, contradicting Pritzker’s statement of “more than 13 million” people in the state.
The Census report indicates that Illinois lost 79,500 people in 2020, even after accounting for additional individuals who were initially missed during the count. This resulted in a 33,100 population decrease for the state. State Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, criticized Pritzker, referring to him as a “population denier” and expressing disbelief in the governor’s dismissal of the federal data. The loss of a Congressional seat for Illinois after the 2020 Census further supports concerns regarding the state’s diminishing population.
Legislator calls Pritzker a 'population denier' after data show Chicago loses more https://t.co/9deDy8YSsU via @thecentersquare
— Bishop On Air (@BishopOnAir) May 16, 2024
Pritzker’s approval of new redistricting maps was cited as a response to the state’s population changes. However, this contrasts sharply with Pritzker’s current dismissal of the Census data. Chicago, in particular, experienced a substantial population drop in 2023, losing over 8,000 residents according to the annual Census estimates. These statistics place Chicago as the third-largest population decline in the nation, following New York and Philadelphia. Pritzker’s insistence on the accuracy of Illinois’ population count is met with skepticism from critics like Miller, who attribute the state’s population exodus to factors such as overtaxation.
The Illinois Republican Party highlighted the significant population loss in the state, emphasizing the impact of Democratic policies on issues like high taxes and crime. They rebuked Pritzker’s dismissal of the Census data and cautioned that as long as Democratic leaders ignore the state’s challenges, more residents will continue to flee Illinois. These assertions underscore the ongoing debate over Illinois’ population decline and the contrasting perspectives between the state’s leadership and its critics.
