Illinois Property Taxes Are Crushing Us

Nowhere is the failure of Springfield more obvious than in your property tax bill.

In District 45, families are being taxed out of their homes. Seniors are forced to downsize not because they want to—but because they can no longer afford to stay. Farmers and business owners face skyrocketing assessments with little to show for it.

Meanwhile, the politically connected are doing just fine.

I’ve seen firsthand how the political elite, insider landlords, and developers have benefited from millions in property tax reductions—while everyday homeowners are stuck filling the void.
Many of these beneficiaries are the very people backing Andrew Chesney—his friends, his donors, his allies.

It’s not just unfair—it’s deliberate.

The Problem: Rigged for the Few

For years, Illinois politicians have promised to “fix” property taxes. But nothing changes. In fact, the burden keeps growing, especially for working-class families in rural counties.

Under Andrew Chesney’s tenure:

• Homeowners have seen rising assessments without better services

• Rural taxpayers foot the bill while Springfield prioritizes Chicago

• Wealthy landlords and political insiders receive sweetheart assessments

• School districts struggle with funding gaps, forcing more levies on property owners

• No serious reforms have been passed to cap or restructure property taxes

This isn’t conservative leadership—it’s insider protection. And it’s time to end it.

Atkinson’s Plan: Relief, Transparency, and Local Control

Joshua T. Atkinson believes that families and small business owners should not be punished for living and working in rural Illinois. Property taxes must be reined in with common-sense, structural reform that protects your home and future.

1. Cap Annual Property Tax Increases

It’s time to give families certainty. Josh will support legislation that limits how much your property tax bill can increase year over year, especially for owner-occupied residences and long-term family farms.

2. Make the Assessment Process Transparent and Accountable

No more backroom assessments or unexplained jumps in value. Josh will fight to reform the property assessment process with clear standards, public input, and an easy-to-understand appeals process.

3. Shift School Funding Away from Property Taxes

Property taxes shouldn’t be the only way to fund our schools. Josh supports diversifying the funding model so education is fully supported without crushing homeowners—especially in rural districts with shrinking populations.

4. Protect Seniors and Long-Term Homeowners

Josh will advocate for expanded exemptions and protections that help seniors, veterans, and long-time residents remain in their homes with dignity.

5. Hold Local Governments Accountable

Before raising your taxes, local governments should be required to prove they’ve exhausted every option for efficiency and waste reduction. Josh supports greater transparency and mandatory voter input on major tax increases.

A Voice for the Taxpayer

“I don’t need to read a policy paper to understand the property tax crisis—I’ve lived it. I’ve seen how bad assessments, inflated levies, and Springfield’s inaction hurt our communities.

But I’ve also seen who’s benefiting: the political insiders and landlords—like former State Senator Brian Stewart—who quietly received massive reductions on their commercial properties while working families were left picking up the tab.

These aren’t accidents. They’re part of a system built to protect the few, and Andrew Chesney is one of its biggest defenders. If elected, I’ll fight every day to bring fairness, transparency, and relief to rural Illinois taxpayers.

It’s time to stop rewarding the well-connected and start protecting the working class.”

— Joshua T. Atkinson

We Deserve Better

District 45 doesn’t need another politician who blames Chicago and shrugs his shoulders. We need someone willing to roll up their sleeves and fix what’s broken.

Joshua T. Atkinson is ready to take on the entrenched system and bring real, permanent property tax reform to Springfield.

Let’s fire Andrew Chesney and restore fairness to Illinois.

Take Action

Join our campaign for property tax reform—donate, volunteer, and spread the message.
Together, we can ease the burden and build a future where families can afford to stay rooted in the communities they love.