Will County Gazette

House Republican candidate Rick Laib doesn’t think there is any debate that rising property taxes in the Prairie State have directly caused the mass exodus of Illinois residents.

With the second highest property taxes in the nation, residents will leave the state if lawmakers do not make reforms, Laib said.

“In my own district, Will County government board members have proposed initiatives and led efforts to stay rising property taxes and, in some cases, reduce property taxes,” Laib told the Will County Gazette. “However, across the state, more will need to be addressed.”

Rep. Lawrence Walsh

Laib, who is running against Rep. Lawrence Walsh Jr. (D-Joliet) for the 86th District seat, believes that providing tax exemptions to specific homeowners would help alleviate the tax burden for everyone, he said.

“Across the state, there are a number of programs that provide property tax exemption to struggling homeowners,” Laib said. “But exemptions are also extended to a number of other properties with a wider criteria range. Focusing relief assistance on homeowners who need it most would provide some tax relief to all taxpayers.”

Something has to change in order to keep residents from fleeing Illinois, he said.

“Largely we'll need to begin taking a closer look at where that money is going and address the demands that are being made, that necessitate higher property taxes,” Laib said.

Laib is a Joliet native. He earned a master’s degree from Biola University and a master’s in theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield. He served as a sergeant with the Will County Sheriff's Office and has held positions on the SWAT team and Honor Guard.

District 86 includes Will County, and much of Joliet and Channahon.