Well, most of the people I know nowadays are from the rough streets of Palatine and Bartlett. Some homies in the Southside, too. Lemont, IL. Home of the Western Open I think...rough. Norwood Park is still part of the city, right?
Sure, the state tax is higher (since the prior statute ran-out), but we're talking property taxes. You cannot compare Menlo Park with Chicago. Rogers Park is still a s-hole, no? I was there six months ago and little in the way of gentrification. 80% of the state budget (deficit) is spent on pensions, healthcare (Medicaid), and education. They are, for all intents and purposes, Greece. I don't know how reliable these numbers are, but they correlate with other sources I have seen in the past: http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/Illinois_state_spending_details.html
No wonder, your pissed. You have some major holdings. My uncle is still stinging over Bartlett which took a major hit. Nice place, though. I concede that you will definitely have a better handle on things. I am just giving the perspective of somebody who just returned to Chicago after 7 years. Everything is new and fresh again. And, I see some structural improvements. Maybe I just need to experience a full Winter.
Well, I was essentially born, raised and educated there (NU and uchicago), so I will always love that town, but living in the Gold Coast or LP is a lot different than commuting from some exurb. I would never do it again (live in the suburbs).