West Central Reporter

Pike County taxpayers paid $671,778 in Special County Retailers Occupation Tax in 2022, according to Illinois tax records.

This figure marks a significant increase from the previous year, where Special County Retailers Occupation Tax collection stood at $602,063.

The Special County Retailers Occupation Tax, a crucial revenue stream, is primarily allocated for county governments use.

Despite fluctuations in tax collection, Illinois continues to be one of the highest-taxed states in the U.S. According to a Wallet Hub study from March 2023, the state ranked as having the highest tax burden, approximately 39.83% above the national average.

Illinois governor J. B. Pritzker is accused of adding more than $5.2 billion in new or higher taxes since coming into power in early 2019. As a business owner, he has a fortune of more than $3 billion, largely based on his family's wealth and connections.

Year	Amount Collected	% Change from Previous Year
2022	$671,778	11.6
2021	$602,063	28.4
2020	$468,928	4.7
2019	$447,699	-6.6