FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2017
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Chicago, IL – Some Illinois lawmakers are hoping to end the state’s 18-month budget stalemate when they return to Springfield today for a two-day lame-duck session, but raising the Illinois state income tax by $4 billion is not a winning proposal for anyone, especially taxpayers.
“Taxpayers should demand legislators reject a new personal income tax hike,” said Jim Tobin, president of Taxpayers United of America. “Not only is a $4 billion income tax increase unwise and unnecessary, considering how much money the state already confiscates from hard-working taxpayers, but to try to push this proposal through the Illinois General Assembly with so little time during the two-day lame-duck session is ridiculous.”
The full details have not yet been released, but according to Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-32, McHenry), the deal was shaping up over the weekend between talks with Democratic Senate President John Cullerton and GOP Leader Sen. Christine Radogno.
The proposal includes raising Illinois’ personal income tax to nearly 5 percent from its current rate of 3.75 percent in exchange for a temporary property tax freeze, overhauling the state’s government pension system and changes to workers’ compensation; items Gov. Bruce Rauner has placed at the top of his Turnaround Agenda.
“We support freezing and rolling back property taxes, as well as significantly reforming the government pensions and workers’ compensation, but not at the cost of another economically disastrous $4 billion income tax hike,” said Tobin.
“Lawmakers should refrain from last minute agreements and instead allow the new Illinois General Assembly to take up the matter as soon as they are sworn in. Taxpayers must demand their legislators hear their pleas for tax relief and vote accordingly. Illinois’ taxpayers cannot afford yet another state income tax hike and we urge all members of the Illinois General Assembly to reject it,” said Tobin.
Contact:
Jim Tobin
(312) 427-5128
(773) 354-2076
Jared Labell
(773) 766-4947
Jared Labell, executive director of Taxpayers United of America and the Libertarian Institute, joined CBS Chicago’s Derrick Blakley to comment on the onslaught of taxes Chicago taxpayers face in 2017.
The segment can be viewed online at http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/12/29/2017-the-year-of-chicago-tax-increases-fee-hikes-and-more-tax-increases/
Chicago – Tax Accountability (TA), the political action arm of Taxpayers United of America, congratulates taxpayers for electing numerous TA endorsed candidates in the general election held on Tuesday, November 8.
“2016 has been a year full of surprises,” said Jim Tobin, Chairman of TA. “The Cubs won the World Series, President-elect Donald Trump turned the political system upside down, and Michael Madigan, Speaker of the Illinois House, lost his super majority! Our sincere congratulations to these tax fighters and thanks to their constituents.”
The following is a list of TA endorsed candidates who were victorious in their campaigns for various local, state, and federal offices:
- Incumbent Dan Patlak defeated Marty Stack for Cook County Board of Review, 1st District
- Joe Tirio defeated Lynn Gray for McHenry County Recorder
- Tom Wilbeck won a seat on the McHenry County Board, District 1st
- Craig Wilcox won a seat on the McHenry County Board, District 4th
- Incumbent Jeanne M. Ives defeated Kathleen Carrier for IL State Rep 42nd District
- Steven Reick defeated John Bartman for IL State Rep 63rd District
- Allen Skillicorn defeated Nancy Zettler for IL State Rep 66th District
- Dan Swanson defeated Bill Butts for IL State Rep 74th District
- Incumbent Randy Hultgren defeated Jim Walz for House Rep IL 14th District
“I am pleased to see Madigan stunned and losing his grasp on power in Springfield,” said Tobin. “And think of the possibility of a revolt within his own caucus! Regardless, we are delighted to see so many great candidates elected to office, both newcomers and incumbents. Taxpayers should be proud of these tax fighters within the halls of power and encourage their peers to live up to their examples.”
