a huge number of high earning & high taxpaying people & businesses have left the state since Governor Quinn/Mike Madigan's tax hike disaster
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-wealth-flight-explained-in-4-graphics/
According to government census estimates, Illinois population dropped more in the past 12 months than any other state, a drop of 37,508.
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/census-bureau-illinois-lost-more-people-than-any-other-state/
And Chicago lost more people than any other city-
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...opulation-record-loss-met-20160324-story.html
The actual loss of people was well over 100,000 for the second year in a row, but it was offset by some movement into the state, and population expansion from new births.
The state of Illinois has lost nearly 2 million residents since 1990.
The top states that people from Illinois move to are Florida, Indiana, Wisconsin, Arizona and Texas.
Reports show the top reasons are high taxes, crime, unfavorable business climate, loss/lack of jobs, and the weather.
What is just as concerning, a recent poll shows half of all Illinois residents who remain want to leave!-
Another poll reveals half of Illinois residents want to leave state
http://www.nwherald.com/2016/10/10/...linois-residents-want-to-leave-state/aifd5rv/
That is all bad news for the rest of us who will be left to pay the massive deficits and tax burdens.