| The signs are all staring at you in the face. Real estate values are some of the worst performing in the country. (see Rodkin) Taxes keep skyrocketing. (Thanks JB!) Pension underfunding keeps increasing. (https://wirepoints.org) Population loss continues. Violent crime continues. (http://heyjackass.com/home) Politicians keep getting arrested with almost comical regularity. (See Mick Jagger's joke the other night?) State/city assets keep getting sold. (Parking meters, Thomson Center, Skyway, etc) Debt keeps going up, often with usurious terms. Credit ratings keep getting worse. (Illinois is worst in the US) New sources of taxes enacted. (Weed, gambling) It's all right there, man. I don't like it anymore than you but sadly every warning sign, every symptom is right there staring at you in the face. If I asked someone to generally describe a death spiral this is what they would describe. And it's not like these are modest problems, we often rank DFL in the country for most of these things. |
Violent crime in decline. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-met-chicago-...
State/City assets should be sold. Why should the state operate any assets?
Weed and gambling taxes are a good thing, not a bad thing.
Population loss is indeed continuing but it's to be expected. Older people moving to Florida is a big reason. Another reason, Chicago is more expensive than neighboring states. And unless you value big city amenities, there is no reason to stay.