Dupage Policy Journal

State Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) is saluting Illinois voters for finally electing to put themselves first.

“I’m elated that the people of this state decided against taxing themselves more and making their struggle even greater,” Grant told the DuPage Policy Journal of voters banding to reject the progressive tax plan Gov. J.B. Pritzker had been pushing since his days on the campaign trial. “They worked to get themselves informed to the point that they knew this wasn’t a good idea. The way they became informed doesn’t matter, only that they got to that point.”

Given the high stakes, Grant said she isn’t surprised to see the governor now lashing out at those he sees as responsible for his defeat. In the wake of the measure not netting the 60% approval or majority vote needed for passage even after he pumped at least $50 million of his own money into a campaign to sway voters, Pritzker has warned “painful” cuts could soon be coming to counterbalance things.

Grant said she’s seen it all before when it comes to what she views as the governor’s intimidation tactics.

“The governor needs to understand that he doesn’t have the power to just do what he wants,” she said. “He can’t rule as a dictator, bullying his way through everything. It’s the same he’s tried to handle things with COVID.”

When it comes to the progressive tax, Grant said the issue for most came down to a question of trust.

“I think for many the idea of changing the state constitution so politicians in Springfield could do whatever they want with our taxes was too scary for a lot of people,” she said. “With everything going on in Springfield now, no one feels comfortable giving them more power.”