Illinois remains the second highest property tax bill burden in the U.S… Only New Jersey remains worse than Illinois. This trend has accelerated in the last 2 years as the taxing bodies continue to increase tax levies to cover unfunded pension obligations. The kick in the teeth is that as population leaves the state, the remaining landowner’s portion of increasing tax levies and tax rates sticks them with increasing burdens. Many neighborhoods are occurring higher rates of tax liens for lack of tax payments and reduced sales taxes collected. Until the public pension obligations get corrected, the property tax bills will continue to be treated like 3 headed step children and a band aid to solving taxing body funding.