Fiscal Fury: Property Tax is the Most Hated Tax in Illinois, Reveals Poll. 

• Survey of 3,022 respondents.
• Property Tax was followed by vehicle registration tax + utility & service surcharges as the most despised among Illinoisans.
• Infographic showing the most hated taxes in each state.

Americans may joke that only death and taxes are certain, but which taxes do they hate the most? 5StarLoans.com carried out a poll of 3,044 respondents, which aimed to uncover the most despised tax in every state – from sky-high property taxes, to steep sales taxes, to the polarizing “death tax”. 

The 3 most hated taxes in The Prairie State are:

#1 Property Tax – Utterly Despised.

Illinois residents are well-versed in the art of complaining about property taxes — and for good reason. The state consistently ranks near the top nationally for effective property tax rates, with homeowners paying thousands more each year than their counterparts across state lines. It’s not unusual to hear property tax bills discussed with the same solemnity as a mortgage payment. The frustration isn’t just about the dollar figure. Many residents feel they’re paying premium rates for services that haven’t kept pace — crumbling roads, underfunded schools, and mounting pension obligations. In Illinois, property taxes aren’t just high; they’re symbolic of a state struggling to make the math add up.

#2 Vehicle Registration Tax – Pretty Much Universally Hated.

Few taxes feel as redundant as the annual vehicle registration fee. Illinoisans dislike paying for something they already own, and the ritual of renewal can feel more like rent than responsibility. Whether called a tag fee, ad valorem, or personal property tax, it’s a recurring reminder that ownership always comes with strings attached.

#3 Utility & Service Surcharges – Loathed on Principle Alone.

Utility surcharges frustrate households because they’re buried in bills and easy to overlook — until the total creeps higher each month. These charges fund infrastructure or regulation, but consumers see them as nickel-and-diming tactics from companies and governments alike. It’s the modern equivalent of a hidden tax on simply keeping the lights on.

Infographic showing the most despised taxes in each state

After revealing which taxes Illinoisans despise most, 5StarLoans.com decided to look beyond tax season and into the daily emotions tied to money, credit, and borrowing. 

The findings reveal a nation that’s financially stretched, emotionally candid, and cautiously optimistic about its financial future.

When You Think of Taking Out a Loan…
For most Illinoisans, borrowing isn’t a source of relief – it’s a source of anxiety.

• 54% said their first emotion is stress, far outweighing every other feeling.
• 13% described hope, suggesting some still see loans as a fresh start.
• Only 10% said relief, and 11% admitted to shame, proving that while attitudes toward debt are softening, they’re far from neutral.

Credit Scores: A Call for Fairer Rules
If there’s one thing that unites Americans, it’s frustration with how credit scores are built — and how long bad credit follows them.

• 32% want to shorten how long negative marks last.
• 27% think on-time rent and utility payments should count more.
• 21% say the system should be free and transparent.
• 20% want medical debt removed entirely.

Together, the responses show a desire for credit scoring that rewards responsibility rather than penalizes past mistakes — a system based on progress, not punishment.

Financial Regrets They Can’t Shake
When asked about their biggest money mistakes, one answer towered over the rest: not saving soon enough.

• 48% regret not starting to save earlier.
• 29% regret credit card debt.
• 12% regret missing loan payments.
• 11% regret co-signing for someone else.

Would You Co-Sign for a Friend?
Despite good intentions, generosity has its limits:

• 77% said they would refuse to co-sign a loan.
• Only 23% said they would take the risk.

What’s Keeping Illinoisans Up at Night
When it comes to day-to-day financial stress, housing costs remain the heaviest weight on the national wallet.

• 31% said rent or mortgage payments are their biggest source of pressure.
• 24% named credit card debt.
• 22% pointed to taxes – perhaps unsurprising, given the nation’s fiscal frustrations.
• 14% said medical bills.
• 9% cited personal loans.

Together, the findings show that whether it’s a tax bill, a credit score, or a late payment reminder, the emotional cost of debt continues to shape how Illinoisans think about money — and how they feel about their financial future.

“Every state’s top-hated tax tells you something about what its people value,” says Bryan Solis, Head of Sales and Strategic Partnership at 5 Star Car Title Loans. “For some, it’s the dream of owning a home. For others, it’s the freedom to spend without penalty. Taxes hit a nerve because they touch our sense of fairness as much as our finances.”