U.S. Census data released this past week indicates that the state of Illinois led the nation in population loss in the last 10 years. The state has lost nearly 160,000 residents over that period. That population decline has demographers and other experts saying that Illinois will likely lose one congressional seat and possibly two in the future. The state currently has 18 congressional seats. The expected loss will come after the next reapportionment which will occur after the 2020 Census and before the 2022 elections. A number of factors are being blamed for the dwindling population including excessive business taxes and incentives for business relocation to other surrounding states such as Indiana.