Dupage Policy Journal

Republican state House candidate Laura Hois wants voters to see all J.B. Pritzker’s tough tax hike talk for what she believes it to be.

“The threat of a 20% income tax hike is a scare tactic,” Hois told the DuPage Policy Journal. “Gov. Pritzker wants to adequately address the debt crises that he, (House Speaker) Michael Madigan and elite politicians created by forcing those who are most able to step up to pay to do so.”

With the progressive tax proposal the governor has been pushing since his days as a candidate far from a sure thing when it appears on the Nov. 3 ballot as a referendum, Pritzker and company are pulling out all stops to get it over the finish line.

Democrat Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton recently warned voters if Pritzker’s proposal fails to get the support it needs for passage on Nov.3, taxpayers could soon face a 20% state income tax hike to cover any looming budget shortfall. Such a steep rise would send rates spiraling to an all-time personal high state income tax rate for residents of 5.94%.

Since then, the governor has essentially co-signed Stratton’s threat, further warning taxpayers it’s either the progressive tax or a 15% cut in government services, which could mean cuts in funding for education and public safety and a state property tax increase.

Now running against incumbent state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) in the 81st District, Hois thinks all the posturing just opens the door to more suffering for already stressed-out taxpayers.

“The governor’s command and control style of governance harms the people who are supposed to be served and prevents them from having a voice, either directly or through their state representatives,” she added. “The impact is more residents will sell their homes and businesses and leave Illinois. People know when they are being taken advantage of by their government.”

Under good leadership, Hois argues there’s another way.

“Lawmakers must take immediate steps to strengthen economic development and job growth,” she said. “Lift the lockdown restrictions while keeping safety guidelines in place; create a friendly, supportive business environment; initiate job training programs to encourage young people to stay in Illinois.”