Dupage Policy Journal

Republican state House candidate Laura Hois is taking a stance against Gov. J.B. Pritzker stemming from his dogged persistence for a progressive income tax system.

“Gov. Pritzker’s top priority is changing the state constitution to allow more tax hikes,” Hois said. “And as you can see, he’s willing to put his money where his mouth is. It’s time to stand up and vote ‘no’ to any new tax hikes. Illinois families have paid and put up with enough.”

Hois, a Downers Grove resident, views the progressive tax the governor has been pushing since his days as a candidate as one of his biggest assaults of all, evidenced by the millions and millions he recently invested in a ballot initiative committee working to get the legislation passed in November.

According to the Chicago Tribune, in all the governor has donated $56.5 million to the cause, making him the only individual to contribute more than $250 to the Vote Yes to Fairness committee headed by one of his former deputies.

Running against incumbent state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) in the 81st District, Hois has long argued defeating the tax is critical to having any chance of getting the state back on track.

“Illinois families need lower taxes and foundational reforms to revitalize our communities and restore job opportunities,” Hois said. “The graduated income tax does nothing to help, and actually makes things worse because it gives politicians license to raise taxes any time, on any tax bracket. We've seen tax hike after tax hike fail to address Illinois' structural overspending and outmigration.”

Through it all, the governor has sought to sell the tax as a change that will only mean higher rates for the state’s most affluent residents. Voters will finally have their say in November’s general election, where approval from 60% of those who vote on the issue or a majority of those who vote in the election overall is needed for passage.