John Gregory -- Illinois Radio Network

Does Illinois really have a migration problem?  The answer depends on which political party you ask.

Illinois has been ranked near the top when it comes to residents moving to other states for several years, but Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) believes older people leaving for warmer climates skews those numbers—which are then used by Republicans to bash the state.

“It’s part of the political season, and hopefully it’ll end,” Cullerton said. “We have engaged, like all states, in efforts to try and encourage companies to come here.”

Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) only agrees with part of Cullerton’s views.

“I don’t disagree with we should not be Illinois bashing.  We do have a great state.  However, the facts are the facts, and we do have an out-migration problem,” Radogno said.

The most recent U.S. Census data said that almost 40,000 more people left Illinois for other states than moved here from other stares between July 2012 and July 2013.  The population did not drop by that amount though, as births outpaced deaths, and people moved to Illinois from outside the country.

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