Illinois Chamber of Commerce statement on proposed graduated income tax amendment

 

[April 11, 2019] 

"The proposed amendment (SJRCA1) will not fix our state's current fiscal crisis, but will discourage entrepreneurs and facilitate unbridled tax increases on our middle class," said Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Maisch, who testified in opposition at today's Senate Executive Committee hearing.

"We understand the governor has inherited serious financial problems. However, there is no way the administration can tax its way out of those problems solely through increasing taxes on the "wealthy."

Regardless of the stated purpose of this constitutional amendment, the middle class will certainly be included in higher tax brackets in the future, because there simply isn’t enough money in the top three percent of earners.

Secondly, this amendment clearly discourages entrepreneurs in Illinois whose success is our best chance at economic and revenue growth in our communities. Finally, the Illinois constitution currently states only one tax can be levied on income. This amendment removes that language, creating a situation where the government can tax your income multiple times for multiple purposes."

[Illinois Chamber of Commerce]