Illinois' highest-in-the-nation property taxes are eroding home equity and depressing home values across the state. This report is part of a North Cook News series on recent home sales that demonstrate the consequences.

The Danyluks paid $851,000 for the home in March 1992. That's $1.53 million in today's dollars.

Susan S., Park Ridge, IL, Purchase (inflation adj), $550000, Present Value (2018), $387830, Property Taxes (2004), $6813, Property Taxes (2017), $10089, Total Taxes Paid, $126808, , , “Until we get new politicians that really care about us it’s not going to change”

Joe E., Park Ridge, IL, Purchase (inflation adj), $1011500, Present Value (2018), $565390, Property Taxes (2008), $5682, Property Taxes (2017), $15149, Total Taxes Paid, $143005, , , “I’ve certainly considered leaving.”

Mike F., Peoria, IL, Purchase (inflation adj), $240000, Present Value (2018), $276600, Property Taxes (1999), $5826, Property Taxes (2017), $8662, Total Taxes Paid, $147871, , , “The government is taking my money and wasting it.”

Sarai A., Villa Park, IL, Purchase (inflation adj), $180000, Present Value (2018), $209790, Property Taxes (2015), $6059, Property Taxes (2017), $5278, Total Taxes Paid, $16100, , , “I plan to probably move to Indiana when we fully retire.”​

John P., Schaumburg, IL, Purchase (inflation adj), $432000, Present Value (2018), $502110, Property Taxes (1999), $7595, Property Taxes (2017), $13834, Total Taxes Paid, $207246, , , “It’s getting very difficult to stay here.”

Art H., Seneca, IL, Purchase (inflation adj), $138000, Present Value (2018), $141000, Property Taxes (2012), $2451, Property Taxes (2017), $2490, Total Taxes Paid, $9953, , , “Property taxes were a lot of why we moved.”

J.D., Tinley Park, IL, Present Value (2018), $165710, Property Taxes (2003), $2100, Property Taxes (2017), $5119, Total Taxes Paid, $45820, , , , , “I’ve thought about moving out of Illinois.”

Paul P., Plainfield, IL, Present Value (2018), $292620, Property Taxes (2015), $8399, Property Taxes (2017), $8310, Total Taxes Paid, $$25049, , , , , “Why would we want to invest in the state of Illinois?”