Pritzker administration continues to deny Illinois’ population decline – Washington Examiner
### Summary of Illinois Population Trends
Illinois is experiencing a significant and prolonged decline in its population, which has now reached its 10th consecutive year. The latest estimates indicate a decrease of nearly 33,000 residents in 2023, attributed largely to domestic outmigration. Specifically, over 83,000 individuals left Illinois for other states, contributing to one of the highest outmigration rates in the U.S. Despite some international migration offsetting these losses, the overall trend points towards a decline.
### Pritzker Administration’s Stance
In response to the census data, members of the Pritzker administration, particularly Deputy Governor Andy Manar, have publicly contested the notion of a population decline. During a recent panel, Manar asserted that Illinois has more residents than ever, referencing the Census Bureau’s Post Enumeration Survey as evidence that population figures were inaccurately reported by the Census. He suggests this is a corrective measure reflecting a true increase in population. However, critics, including Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski, argue against this assertion, highlighting the substantial evidence of population loss reflected in census data.
This discrepancy between administrative claims and the census findings continues to fuel debate regarding Illinois’ population dynamics and the implications for the state’s economic and social fabric.
Pritzker administration continues to deny Illinois’ population decline
(The Center Square) – The Pritzker administration continues to deny the state is losing population.
During a panel discussion about pensions with the Better Government Association this week, Deputy Gov. Andy Manar was asked about the state’s economic trends, including population decline.
“There has never been more people living in the state of Illinois than there is today,” Manar said. “The Census is the Census. There’s a thing called the Post Enumeration Survey which shows Illinois gained population. It’s a correction. And it’s a real correction from the Census Bureau. So I just want to dispel that right away. Illinois is not losing people. Illinois is gaining people.”
Separately, Illinois Deputy Governor Andy Manar and Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski discuss Illinois’ population trends.BlueRoomStream
Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski said Manar is not correct. He said while the U.S. Census did modify its numbers for Illinois, it didn’t change them upward.
“They’re just trying to hang on, right,” Dabrowski told The Center Square. “You look at every piece of data, IRS, moving vans, everything is showing this massive out migration of people.”
Dabrowski said to focus on policies to reverse population decline in Illinois, policymakers must first recognize that the state is indeed losing population, which leads to less representation in the U.S. Congress and fewer federal tax dollars coming back to Illinois. After the 2020 Census, Illinois lost one of its seats in the U.S., dropping from 18 seats to 17.
“If you don’t admit that you’re losing population, then you don’t fix the problems,” Dabrowski said. “We got lots of problems whether it’s on taxation, on crime, home values, job opportunities.”
The most recent state-to-state migration flow data Wirepoints analyzed for the most recent year shows another 93,000 fewer people in Illinois.
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