In Illinois, my Social Security benefits barely pay for my property taxes

In Illinois, my Social Security benefits barely pay for my property taxes

Letter to the Editor in Chicago Tribune

I couldn’t agree more with Abbie Lukas’ recent letter regarding the editorial “Illinois Exodus: Flight of the expats.” Let me add the “old folks’” perspective.

I paid into Social Security for 48 years. I started collecting benefits at age 68. Our last real estate tax bill consumed almost two-thirds of my Social Security. Although our home has not appreciated in over nine years, our real estate taxes increased 14 percent in 2016 and 10 percent in 2017. In fewer than five years, at that rate, the entirety of my Social Security, every last dime, will be devoured by real estate taxes. This means that I will not have a penny of Social Security left to buy food, pay the mortgage, or put gas in the car.

I keep thinking this is some kind of cruel joke. Where is the so-called lock box? Where is the safety net? It certainly seems that the only answer is to join the tens of thousands who are fleeing Illinois and its insidious taxes at every level of government.

— Robert Martier, Glenview