Dupage Policy Journal

Republican state House candidate Laura Hois fears Illinois could be on path for a dubious double distinction.

"The most corrupt state in the nation will become one of the most devastated states in the nation, along with California, New York and New Jersey,” Hois said of a new Tax Foundation report that concludes Illinois would join those states at the bottom in the business competitiveness rankings should the progressive tax now being pushed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker ever become law.

“This fall would irreparably damage our economy and culture,” added Hois, who is now running against incumbent state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) in the 81st District. “Illinois’ economic decline would accelerate rapidly with increased outmigration, job losses, and a drastically reduced commercial tax base.”

Hois argues all the energy put forth by the governor to get the tax over the finish line when it appears on the ballot next month would be better used looking for ways to eliminate waste and rein in spending.

“Gov. Pritzker should have resolved to keep the flat tax and donated his $56 million to solve the state’s budget crisis,” she said. “Instead, he and elite lawmakers pushed forward the graduated tax proposal, blindly acting to keep the status quo favoring special interests and high spending. Their demands for one tax hike after another coupled with increased spending drives the state deeper into debt. There is no plan to address the unfunded pension liabilities, budget deficits, and unpaid bills.”

Hois argues there’s clearly a better way.

“In other words, exercise discipline and find common sense solutions,” she said. “Strengthen economic development by creating a much friendlier business environment, ease the lockdown restrictions while keeping safety guidelines in place, and enact bipartisan measures to grant low interest loans to small business owners who were most affected by the pandemic to help them recover.”