Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois state Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) argues a new Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) report detailing how Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive tax plan could lead to more job losses only confirms what he’s long been contending.

“It’s not surprising to learn that raising taxes will cost jobs,” Oberweis told the DuPage Policy Journal. “We are losing people and losing job opportunities because of high taxes. Last year, Illinois lost more than 50,000 people.”

According to IPI, the state’s job losses are set to be in that same neighborhood should Pritzker’s progressive tax ever see the light of day. In all, IPI estimates that the state could lose as many as 56,399, easily outpacing all the 45,000 jobs the state gained in all of 2019.

Through it all, Pritzker continues to insist the tax will only mean higher rates for the state’s richest residents.  

Voters will finally have their say in November when they go to the polls to vote on the question of whether the state constitution should be amended to allow lawmakers the power to enact a progressive tax system.

Oberweis added he is committed to making sure they fully understand what’s at stake.

“If we are going to stop this trend, we must lower, not raise taxes,” he said. “I have never voted for a tax increase because I understand what taxes do to working families.”

Roughly a year ago to the day, Oberweis blasted the progressive tax proposal as an outright assault on middle-class families.

“The legislation advanced today offers no guaranteed protections for middle-income families,” he posted on his website. “What’s to prevent rates being raised again in the future? One of the arguments against this change is that out of the 23 states that have implemented a progressive tax structure, there are 18 instances in which states have lowered the threshold for the highest tax rate.”

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