CHICAGO — If you’ve been feeling financially stretched in Illinois lately, you’re not alone. And if you’ve seen that meme of a thin cyclist struggling to pedal a bloated passenger labeled “Government,” well… welcome to the club. It’s the most relatable cartoon in the Land of Lincoln right now.
The Meme That Broke Illinois Internet
The viral image (which has circulated under various captions) shows:
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A frail, overworked man on a bicycle — labeled “Taxpayer”
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A large, relaxed man eating a burger on the back — labeled “Government”
If it had a third panel, it’d probably say: “Meanwhile, property taxes are due again.”
Why It Hits Home for So Many Illinoisans
This meme isn’t about attacking anyone — it’s about capturing a feeling. That feeling when:
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You pay some of the highest property taxes in the country
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Your grocery bill goes up, but so do gas taxes
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You see yet another “budget hole” announcement from Springfield
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You try to register a car and wonder if the fee includes a complimentary back massage
According to the Tax Foundation, Illinois consistently ranks among the top states for tax burden per resident, including:
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Property taxes that average 2.08% of home value (2nd highest in the U.S.)
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State and local sales taxes nearing 10% in parts of Cook County
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Income tax rates that, while flat, feel heavier when combined with everything else
No wonder Illinoisans feel like they’re pedaling hard — uphill, against the wind, with a burger-loving passenger named “Public Spending” chilling in the back.
It’s Not About Blame — It’s About the Burnout
Let’s be real: this isn’t a dig at any one party or office. This is about a decades-long situation where the average person just wants a break.
The taxpayer in the meme isn’t mad — he’s just tired. He’s like:
“I don’t mind chipping in… but can someone else take a turn at the pedals?”
And while governments at all levels face real funding challenges (schools, roads, pensions), the disconnect between effort and reward is what fuels memes like these.
What People Are Saying
Local Reddit threads, Facebook groups, and even neighborhood chats are filled with comments like:
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“This is exactly how I feel every time my property reassessment arrives.”
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“Where does all the money go?”
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“This guy deserves a break and a bottle of Gatorade.”
Even some government employees have quietly admitted: “Okay yeah… that meme was a little too real.”
The Humor Is How We Cope
In true Midwest fashion, humor is a coping mechanism. Illinoisans don’t always complain — they meme. It’s how residents vent without shouting. Laugh without crying. And maybe… nudge things toward change, one viral image at a time.
Because when you’re pushing forward with a financial backpack full of tolls, fees, assessments, and surprise water bills, sometimes you just have to post:
“Still pedaling. Still tired. Still taxed.”
Have a meme that perfectly sums up life as a taxpayer in Illinois?
Drop it in the comments at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com or tag us on social with #PedalTaxLife — because sometimes laughter really is the best refund.
