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The non-partisan Tax Foundation in Washington, DC, just released its annual calculations for its Tax Freedom Day (TFD), and the news is not good.
Tax Freedom Day is the day when US taxpayers have earned enough money to pay their total tax bill for the year. After that day, the money is the taxpayers’ to keep. Taxes at all levels of government are included, whether levied by the federal government or state and local governments.
Tax Freedom Day for US taxpayers this year is April 21, three days later than last year. Taxpayers have three fewer days of their money to keep. According to the foundation, “In 2014, Americans will pay $3.0 trillion in federal taxes and $1.5 trillion in state and local taxes, for a total tax bill of $4.5 trillion, or 30.2 percent of income.” In 1900, Americans paid only 5.9 percent of their income in taxes.
Total tax burdens vary from state to state due to different state and local taxes. Illinois’ total tax burden clearly shows it is a high-tax state. The Illinois Tax Freedom Day is April 28, making it the 7th highest total tax burden in the nation. Connecticut is tied with New Jersey for number 1, the highest total tax burden, and California is number 4.
Illinois’ high tax rates place it at a distinct disadvantage with respect to adjacent states. Of the states surrounding Illinois, every state has a lower tax burden.
Wisconsin is 13th highest, with a Tax Freedom Day of April 22. Iowa is 32nd highest, with a TFD of April 13. Indiana is 24th highest, with a TFD of April 16. Missouri is 36th highest, with a TFD of April 11. Kentucky is 44th, with a TFD of April 8.
“This November, the election for Illinois Governor and members of the Illinois General Assembly will determine whether the state economy thrives or withers away,” said Jim Tobin, President of Taxpayers United of America (TUA). “Taxpayers and small businesses are fleeing to states with lower taxes, such as Texas (32nd highest) and Florida (25th highest). Unless the state personal income tax of 5 percent and the state corporate income tax of 9.5 percent in Illinois are reduced, Illinois will become an economic wasteland.”
TUA’s pension project on Winnebago County, Illinois, is featured in this news story from WIFR TV. Watch video of the story here.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY (WIFR) — The Chicago-based Taxpayers United of America released a survey today of large pension retirees from Winnebago County governments and schools.
The list is the latest in examples by the organization saying that the cause of Illinois’ fiscal problems is due to excessive pension expenses. Pension liabilities have grown to $187 billion.
Jim Tobin, president of the UTA says, “These are shocking amounts for taxpayers to be on the hook. And while these represent the highest pensions, it does not
diminish the fact that every Rockford household owes about $3,858 to fund the local pensions alone. Illinois’ government employee pensions are in dire trouble with no end in sight. “
The taxpayer’s group does not say these pensions are illegal or not as proscribed by law, they believe the numbers illustrate why the state needs an immediate and major overhaul of its school and government pension system including, according to Tobin, “Pension reform must include raising retirement age to 67, increasing employee contributions by 10%, increasing
healthcare contributions to 50% for employees and retirees, eliminating all COLA’s, and replacing the defined benefit system with a defined contribution system for all new. It’s mathematically impossible to tax your way out of this problem. Illinois has more than 10,000 retirees collecting more than $100,000 in annual pensions; in 2020, that will be over
25,000 six figure pensioners.”
For the top local pensions released by the group, please see the attached documents in the related documents section.
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ROCKFORD—Taxpayers United of America (TUA) today released the results of a new pension study of the pensioners of Rockford Municipal government, Winnebago County government, Winnebago government teachers, and Rock Valley College.
“Illinois leaders, Gov. Patrick Quinn (D), Michael Madigan (D), and John Cullerton (D), continue to fail in their duty to taxpayers in Rockford and Winnebago County,” stated Jim Tobin, president of TUA. “Despite the so called pension reforms passed last year, Illinois’ government pension liabilities have grown to $187 billion.”
“St. Rep. Charles E. Jefferson (D-67Rockford), along with Quinn, Madigan, and Cullerton, have been named among Illinois’ Most Notorious Tax Villains for their support of increasing the state income tax on as many as 85% of Rockford taxpayers through a graduated income tax.”
“It has never been clearer that the job-killing policies of raising taxes to prop up the gold-plated government pensions, and the union votes that follow, are more important to these Tax Villains than the future of Illinois itself.”
“The proposed graduated state income tax is nothing more than a money grab for the government bureaucrats who would rather take every last penny of taxpayer income for their own enrichment.”
“What does $187 billion in unfunded pension liability look like to Rockford residents? Retired Rockford Park District employee, Ronald L. Butler, is enjoying a cool $84,042 annual pension that will accumulate to an amazing $3,167,850 in estimated lifetime payouts because he was able to retire at the ripe old age of 57. His personal contribution to that payout was only a little more than $88,000, or 2.5%.”
“Alan S. Brown retired at age 55 from Rockford SD 205. His estimated lifetime payout is a stunning $5,218,392 based on a cushy annual payment of $153,535.”
Here, you can view the top area pensions:
- Winnebago County Government Retirees
- Winnebago County Government Teachers
- Rock Valley College Government Teachers
“These are shocking amounts for taxpayers to be on the hook. And while these represent the highest pensions, it does not diminish the fact that every Rockford household owes about $3,858 to fund the local pensions alone.”
“Illinois’ government employee pensions are in dire trouble with no end in sight. Government employees, like the vast majority of taxpayers should save for their own retirement. Taxpayers simply can’t afford to pay so many, so much, to do absolutely nothing and retirees can’t afford the inaction of Illinois lawmakers who are afraid to alienate the special-interest money that keeps them in office.”
“Without sweeping and immediate reform, Illinois’ pension system will collapse. We need to fire Quinn, Madigan, Cullerton, Jefferson, and every one of the Tax Villains who support a graduated income tax or any other tax increase intended to prop up the failed government pension system rather than muster the political courage to end unfunded pension liabilities forever.”
“Pension reform must include raising retirement age to 67, increasing employee contributions by 10%, increasing healthcare contributions to 50% for employees and retirees, eliminating all COLA’s, and replacing the defined benefit system with a defined contribution system for all new hires. It’s mathematically impossible to tax your way out of this problem. Illinois has more than 10,000 retirees collecting more than $100,000 in annual pensions; in 2020, that will be over 25,000 six figure pensioners.”
*Lifetime estimated pension payout includes 3% compounded COLA and assumes life expectancy of 85 (IRS Form 590).
