Will County Gazette

Adam M. Beaty, a candidate for Illinois House District 80, has announced his intention to tackle the cost of living by advocating for a property tax cap and suspending certain taxes until state spending is reassessed. Beaty made this statement during an interview.

"I would like to immediately tackle the issue of cost of living in the State of Illinois," said M. Beaty. "I would like to sponsor or co-sponsor legislation that places a cap or freeze on property taxes. I would like to suspend certain add-on taxes (gas tax, grocery tax -even though that has been addressed, and any similar taxes). Until a thorough examination of state expenditures and clearly demonstrated need for such taxes can be understood."

Illinois lawmakers and voters are increasingly focused on the rising cost of living, with taxes at the center of debate. According to the Illinois Policy Institute’s May 2025 Lincoln Poll, 54% of residents identified high taxes as their primary concern. The state's fiscal year 2026 budget introduced over $700 million in new taxes, as reported by WTTW/AP. Efforts to phase out the 1% grocery tax and push for property tax relief highlight how cost pressures are shaping Illinois politics.

The state of Illinois currently has the highest property tax rates in the country, averaging 1.83% statewide in 2023. This equates to $4,584 annually on a median-valued home of $250,500. In some collar counties, tax bills regularly exceed $6,000; in Lake County, the effective rate reaches nearly 2.6%, with typical bills surpassing $7,500. These figures underscore the heavy tax burden homeowners face, as documented by the Illinois Policy Institute and Bankrate.

Illinois drivers also pay the nation’s second-highest gas tax, with combined state levies totaling $0.84 per gallon compared to an average of $0.52 in neighboring states. Shoppers pay a 1% sales tax on groceries, making Illinois one of the few large states taxing food staples. These elevated taxes on basic needs contribute to broader affordability concerns across the state, according to reports from the Illinois Policy Institute and Kiplinger.

Beaty was born in Hinsdale, Illinois in 1986 and grew up in Bolingbrook, Naperville, and Plainfield. With a passion for history and politics, he advanced through Illinois YMCA’s Youth and Government program before serving as a student senator at the University of Illinois Springfield. After college, he pursued a career in law enforcement while remaining active in state and local politics. Elected Reed Township Trustee in 2021, he ran for the Illinois House in 2022 and is now seeking office again.

Illinois House District 80 covers parts of Cook and Will counties and includes communities such as Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, Matteson, Park Forest, and University Park. According to Statistical Atlas data, it has a population of about 109,600 and lies within State Senate District 40 while overlapping several congressional districts. Key issues for residents include property tax burdens, transportation costs, and access to jobs in manufacturing, healthcare, and education.