Springfield – The Illinois House Republicans have filed House Resolution 153 stating their united opposition to Governor Pritzker’s plan to raise taxes on working families and small businesses through the implementation of a graduated income tax – an “Unfair Tax.”
State Representative Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) is co-sponsoring HR 153 and believes Pritzker’s Unfair Tax will drive families and jobs out of Illinois.
“I absolutely oppose the graduated or so-called ‘progressive’ income tax supported by the Governor and his Democrat allies in Springfield,” Caulkins said. “How do they expect Illinois working families, who were hit with a 32% income tax hike just two years, to pay even more to cover ever-increasing government spending? We already pay the highest tax burden of any state in the Midwest and have some of the highest property taxes in the nation.”
In his Budget Address last week, Governor Pritzker called for the passage of a progressive income tax to fund state government and help pay down Illinois’ $130 Billion in unfunded pension liabilities. The Governor did not provide details on what the tax rates and tax brackets would look like, leading Caulkins to believe that this tax hike will hurt middle-class families.
“The Democrats want voter approval to move to a graduated tax by promising that only the rich will pay more. But they are leaving out vital information as to what it will actually cost us. Democrats would set the rates taxpayers must pay – after the election. That’s like handing a blank check to the government. The truth is the Unfair Tax is a jobs killer that will hurt working families and small businesses that are the backbone of our economy,” said Rep. Caulkins.
Last year, a House Democrat sponsored House Bill 3522, which sought to impose a graduated income tax. Under this plan, the non-partisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability revealed that 77% of Illinois taxpayers would see an increase in their income tax liability for a total of over $5.2 Billion in new taxes.
“The same Democrats responsible for years of overspending, over taxing and a mountain of debt want to move to a graduated tax for one reason and one reason only – to raise taxes and spend more money. The Governor and General Assembly cannot continue spending money frivolously and expect Illinois taxpayers to pick up the tab with more tax hikes. I stand with the hard-working families of the 101st District in strong opposition to this Unfair Tax.”