Tax-raiser Jim Edgar Calls for Income Tax Increase as He Lines His Pockets

CHICAGO–Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar (R) is endorsing an increase in the state income tax while he is enjoying lavish, gold-plated pension benefits paid by Illinois taxpayers, charged Jim Tobin, President of National Taxpayers United of Illinois (NTUI).

“It’s no wonder he wants to raise our taxes,” said Tobin. “He pulls down an annual pension of $130,908 from the State Employees Retirement System (SERS), which is funded by Illinois taxpayers. That’s a nice pension of $10,909 a month.”
“Governor Patrick Quinn’s (D) proposed 33% state income tax increase, which Edgar supports, would pump billions of dollars into the state retirement pension funds, which finance Edgar’s lush pension.”
“In addition, Edgar feeds off Illinois taxpayers by getting $177,630 a year for being a ‘Distinguished Fellow’ at the University of Illinois. His annual taxpayer-funded income is $308,538 — $25,711 a month. He certainly knows how to work the system.”
“Jim Edgar is a career politician, a lifetime bureaucrat who has never had a real job in his life. In 1969, as a staff member of Springfield power-broker and Senate Majority Leader Russell Arrington (R), Edgar was intimately involved in creating Illinois’ state income tax. This was the biggest tax hike in Illinois history.”
“As Governor, Edgar raised the state income tax in 1991 and 1993.  He later ‘ran against’ the proposed 1994 income tax hike endorsed by notorious tax-raiser, State Senator Dawn Clark Netsch (D), but in 1996 he endorsed this income tax-hike proposal, which was approved by the state House. Fortunately, the state income tax increase was killed in the State Revenue Committee on May 30, 1997.”
“Illinois taxpayers don’t need advice on how to solve Illinois’ financial problems from a career politician who has become wealthy at the expense of these same taxpayers.”
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