Dupage Policy Journal

Newly elected state Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) is front-and-center among a group of 43 Republican lawmakers that have filed a resolution in opposition to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive-tax proposal.

“The special interests in Springfield are pushing a progressive income tax on working families,” Grant said in a press release following the filing of House Resolution 153. “Illinois has had tax hikes and mounting economic pressures, and Illinois is still slow to recover from the Great Recession. If Illinois decides to pass a progressive income tax to fund state government while our surrounding states avoid such high overall taxes, then Illinois will continue to lag in major economic sectors.”

While Pritzker has been pushing the idea of a progressive tax since his days as a candidate, Republicans argue he has yet to offer any specifics for the plan the new governor insists will only raise taxes on the rich. During his first budget address in late February, Pritzker was again sparse on rate details, setting off more alarm bells for the GOP.

“Residents of DuPage County are concerned that this tax is a trick,” Grant added in the release. “Illinois needs to increase investments in health and education through growing the economy. Instead, it seems Democrats are supporting measures like the Pritzker progressive tax, or the previous General Assembly’s progressive income tax bill, House Bill 3522. The non-partisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability revealed that 77 percent of Illinois taxpayers would have seen an increase in their income tax bill under that plan. 

"Gov. Pritzker made it clear in his budget address that the implementation of a graduated income tax is a priority, and I think his plan would ultimately increase tax rates significantly for Illinois families," Grant continued. "Illinois cannot afford any more hits to the state’s economy, but it appears that bad economic policies will continue under this administration.”