Illinois state tax return data again proves population decline

Using number of state tax returns, as ILEPI study did, wrongly indicates Illinois grew 2010-2020. Using the difference in the basic exemptions – number of people in the household – agrees with other evidence Illinois is losing people.

Illinois eliminated exemption allowances for high-income taxpayers beginning in 2017. 2020 adjusted figures account for this change based on historical tax return data.
Chart: @illinoispolicySource: Illinois Department of Revenue, author's calculationsGet the dataCreated with Datawrapper