The Illinois chapter of Americans for Prosperity is launching an accountability campaign targeting several state representatives, including state Reps. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park), Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago), Stephanie Kifowit (D-Aurora) and Kathleen Willis (D-Addison), over their vote to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto on the recently passed budget.
The campaign will include digital ads, direct mail and grassroots activities.
Conroy, Fortner, Kifowit and Willis voted to override Rauner’s veto of Senate Bill 9, which will see a 32 percent tax hike — from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent.
Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park)
“We’re disappointed Springfield failed to provide taxpayers relief from their crippling property tax burden yet voted to demand they forfeit more money to the state by permanently increasing their income tax bill by 32 percent,” AFP-IL State Director Andrew Nelms said. “A bipartisan majority of residents from all over the state supported a long-term property tax freeze, yet lawmakers overrode Gov. Rauner’s veto and passed the permanent income tax hike to help fuel an unbalanced budget.”
Twelve other lawmakers are targeted as part of the campaign: Steve Andersson (R-Geneva), Dan Beiser (D-Alton), Fred Crespo (D-Hoffmann Estates), Michael Halpin (D-Rock Island), David Harris (R-Arlington Heights), Natalie Manley (D-Joliet), Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth), Anna Moeller (D-Elgin), Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg), Sue Scherer (D-Decatur), Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) and Michael Unes (R-East Peoria).
“This massive tax increase will cost a taxpayer with a net income of $50,000 a year more than $600 annually,” Nelms said. “Hardworking Illinoisans are already overtaxed and we want to make sure struggling families know which politicians failed to relieve their property tax burden and instead made living in the Land of Lincoln even more unaffordable.”
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