CHICAGO–The president of Illinois’ largest taxpayer organization today asked State Senator John O. Jones (R-54, Mt. Vernon) to honor his Illinois Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Jim Tobin, President of National Taxpayers United of Illinois (NTUI), accused Jones of attempting to walk away from his pledge.
“In a letter to the Wayne County Press, former school superintendant Robert Bankston, who was in attendance at the IEA/NEA dinner at the Windsor Oaks, confirmed that Jones stated that he would not, and did not, sign a no-tax pledge this time, even though he had signed them last three years. Jones further stated that he was agreeable to looking at raising income taxes.”
“Sen. Jones needs to realize that he just can’t walk away from a pledge he made to Illinois taxpayers,” said Tobin. “His signed and witnessed pledge is in our files at NTUI.”
The Illinois Taxpayer Protection Pledge states: “I pledge…to all the people of this state, that I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase state or local taxes.”
“Springfield tax-raisers are working behind the scenes to pass SB 2288, which would raise the state personal income tax an astronomical 67 percent, to pump more money into the salaries of state employees, and into the lavish pensions and benefits being received by retired state employees, and retired public school teachers outside of Chicago. They will try to bring the $9 billion tax hike to a vote in the lame duck session of the Illinois legislature.”
“State Senator James T. Meeks (D-15, Calumet City) recently bragged that there were enough votes in the senate for SB 2288 to override an anticipated veto by Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D). Sen. Jones must disassociate himself from Meeks and Chicago Machine politicians,” said Tobin.
“Sen. Jones’ attempt to walk away from his pledge is a bad omen for Illinois taxpayers, and I ask him to side with taxpayers and reaffirm his pledge to oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase state or local taxes.”
Click here for the news release.

By on October 23, 2008   /   News Releases  
1 Comment
  1. L. Veldhuizen
    5:15 pm on March 18, 2009

    State Senator John O. Jones,
    Do what YOU know is the RIGHT THING TO DO!
    “vote against any and all efforts to increase Illinois state and/or local taxes.”
    This is really not the time to be thinking of yourself and your crony politicians, when people are not working, losing their homes, and standing in food lines to feed their families. Really, how do you sleep at night??????