* Press release…
In light of the coronavirus crisis shutting down the economy and wreaking havoc on the small business community, the Illinois Opportunity Project stands with the Illinois Business Alliance in calling on Gov. Pritzker and the General Assembly to remove the graduated income tax from the ballot in November.
The country is in uncertain times and experts are still unsure of a timeline when life can go back to normal. Small businesses have been forced to shut down, lay off employees, and fear they won’t be able to survive this downturn. The federal government is doing everything in their power to keep the small business community from collapsing. The last thing they need is higher operating costs come November if the graduated income tax passes.
Gov. Pritzker has stated that we shouldn’t bring politics into these trying times when people’s lives are at risk, but it is important to protect the health of our state and to protect our small businesses and their employees.
Before the outbreak, small business owners gave Illinois an “F” for friendliness. They have been forced to withstand two record breaking income tax hikes since 2011, a minimum wage hike, and are now bracing for another hit come November if the graduated income tax passes.
Illinois Policy projected that the graduated income tax would cost 56,000 jobs and $14 billion in forgone economic activity. Illinois cannot afford more job losses, revenue, or people.
Small businesses employ two thirds of Illinois’ workforce and for too long the political class in Springfield has taken them for granted. The graduated income tax was a bad idea from the start, but due to the current circumstances, the results could be catastrophic. Gov. Pritzker and the legislature must do right by the state’s biggest job creators and remove the graduated income tax from the ballot permanently.
* I asked Quentin Fulks at Vote Yes for Fairness for a response…
The Fair Tax is fundamentally about fairness and ensuring we have a tax system that works for all Illinoisans, which will be especially important as we work to help those who are hurt the most by the coronavirus crisis.
In such an uncertain and challenging time for our state and our country, it’s disappointing that opponents of the Fair Tax are trying to use it to score cheap political points. Like so many Illinoisans, we’re focused on doing everything we can to combat this virus and save lives
Your thoughts?
- Lt Guv - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:21 pm:
Move forward - now more than ever.
- Moe Berg - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:21 pm:
Ghoulish. Not the time. What are these groups doing to help address the pandemic? That’s where focus needs to be.
Similarly, the Daily Herald published an op-ed from a nuclear industry front group yesterday, using the coronavirus crisis as the reason Illinois needs to pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act.
- Jibba - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:22 pm:
Next up: delay minimum wage increases. Shameless.
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:22 pm:
Some groups are still trying to use Illinois Policy as a serious source, even after the public face-slapping their associates just had with the bond lawsuit?
“…we shouldn’t bring politics into these trying times when people’s lives are at risk, but…”
But we think it’s a great time to do it.
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:24 pm:
Even during an economic crisis unseen in a century, the ultrarich are clinging to every dime. God forbid, the playing field is leveled even slightly for us working and middle-class dogs.
- Jocko - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:24 pm:
==now bracing for another hit come November if the graduated income tax passes.==
Can the IOP and IBA give me a list of small business owners pulling down more than $250K in base income annually? Thanks in advance.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:24 pm:
Here’s my initial thought;
If IOP is willing, 100% to support the CA the next time it’s up, if it’s moved, then pull it.
The IOP, with Matt Besler, a Rauner guy… for 17 minutes, until the second purge… if Mr. Besler will public state…
“Hey, I’m for and will support it if it’s removed”…
… then I’ll change my thoughts.
The IOP wants to help the wealthy 3%, the same folks during this pandemic that magically get tested as the 97% wait.
So… IOP… you will support the CA if ya withdrawn?
I doubt it.
Keep all this in mind, come November.
- Centennial - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:26 pm:
We need the Fair Tax now more than ever.
If those biz groups want to come out publicly and say they will not accept any of our tax dollars to bail themselves out, I will entertain their opposition to Fair Tax. Until then, take a seat.
- Tired Teacher - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:28 pm:
What Quentin Fulks said - all day long.
- CubsFan16 - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:28 pm:
Don’t the Governor’s proposed tax brackets under the progressive income tax CUT taxes for the middle class? Seems like a better time than ever for middle class tax relief.
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:28 pm:
Shysters, plain and simple. The well-connected moneyed never ever rest when it comes to making sure they have an advantage, even during an international crisis.
- Annonin' - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:29 pm:
Let’s ask SpankyBaise he was counting on a big fee windfall. So changing course may be favored. Plus the JB plan CUTS taxes for 97%.
- Actual Red - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:29 pm:
Absolutely need it now more than ever. It’s not the people in those top brackets who are gonna lose their jobs in this crisis.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:33 pm:
Really says a lot about the people who in the midst of a global health crisis push for the wealthiest to not pay a modestly higher state income tax.
Also, if the election goes on, why not the tax amendment? Don’t separate them.
- Perrid - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:34 pm:
Most of my thoughts about these jackals would get me banned, I’m sure. If they don’t have income because of the epidemic, then they pay less in income tax, problem solved. That’s the whole point of a progressive income tax, for the love of all that is holy.
And they know the Governor can’t do anything about the amendment. The GA are the only ones that can retract the CA.
- South of Sherman - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:35 pm:
If anything, the current crisis proves the need for the load to be carried more proportionally by those who are best equipped to handle it.
We might need to revisit the rates that are initially applied; what seemed like ‘’rich'’ a month ago might not seem that way a year from now. But we need the ability to structure those rates to assign the burden as fairly as possible, and this amendment is the only way of doing that.
- Quizzical - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:36 pm:
Given the already tough State budget situation, the drop off in revenue as a result of this crisis and the burden on public programs from this crisis, those of us lucky enough to have income are going to have to pay high taxes until the Jetsons becomes reality. Unless you’re proposing an alternate means to capture additional revenue, take a seat for a while.
- Math - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:39 pm:
Any business owner who has an income under $250k won’t see a tax increase. Anyone who has an income of more than $250k isn’t going broke and has the ability to pay a fair tax rate. Now more than ever, we need a tax system that can provide the desperately needed resources for our state to function.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:40 pm:
These right wing think tanks will use anything as a basis to prevent progress and to maintain a regressive tax system that places a greater burden on the poor than the rich.
They didn’t need a pandemic to write these press releases, they’d be writing them no matter what using whatever excuse they imagined appropriate.
The ring wing intellectuals went from intellectualism to a shell game of logical fallacies.
- Original Rambler - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:41 pm:
I think Quentin Fulks was remarkably restrained in his response. He should have emptied both barrels on the IOP, not just one.
- Juvenal - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:41 pm:
“We have serious problems to solve, and we need serious people to solve them. And whatever your particular problem is, I promise you, Bob Rumson is not the least bit interested in solving it. He is interested in two things and two things only: making you afraid of it and telling you who’s to blame for it. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you win elections. You gather a group of middle-aged, middle-class, middle-income voters who remember with longing an easier time, and you talk to them about family and American values and character.”
- President Andrew Shepherd, ‘The American President’
Now is a time for serious people capable of serious leadership.
We should call these folks on the right and the left what they are: clowns.
If Besler, Blagojevich, McSweeney, McQueary and Kass want to keep driving their clown car around in circles for the next nine months, we can’t stop them. But we should not pretend they are serious people with serious ideas interested in helping anyone but themselves.
Clowns.
- Demoralized - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:44 pm:
This isn’t something that’s being imposed on anyone, it’s being voted on. Leave it alone. The people will reject it if they don’t feel it’s the right time.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:45 pm:
Small businesses with more than 250K in income are the “ultra rich” clinging to every dime?
i told you a million times not to exaggerate
- Shytown - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:51 pm:
These Uihlein/Proft/IPI/IOP groups are all one in the same. I guess they think we’re all too dumb to notice.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:52 pm:
- White Power Ranger -
97% will see no raise in their taxes.
If you’re worried about the 3%… and what’s fair for the 3%… that’s what will make this pass easiest, making it about “it’s unfair to the 3%”
- Former Dem - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:53 pm:
No problem, public employees will still be drawing checks and retirees will have their 3% cola . Why not pension reform on the ballot?
- OpentoDiscussion - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:55 pm:
I have not seen the actual proposed amendment. A lot of talk about what it will include. Even a website where you can ‘calculate’ how it will affect you.
But still not what the amendment actually says. If anyone knows something else, please share.
The following is what I received a little over a week ago when I asked about the language:
Thank you for the inquire. I spoke with the state board of elections and the graduated income tax amendment has not been filed yet for the general elections. They tell me they have until May to file referendums. Here is a link to search referendums for every county in the state of Illinois:
https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/ReferendaSearch.aspx?MID=3gf5qf69FHo%3d&T=637193641937705967
Please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have anymore questions.
Sincerely,
Bobby Johnson
Legislative Assistant to Senator David Koehler
Obviously plenty of time before the election to see what it says but I find it curious as to why no specific language after so much reporting.
- Jocko - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:56 pm:
==as everyone pays the same percentage of their income.==
That’s like saying every member of the family (regardless of their stage of development) is going on a diet and losing the same percentage of body weight.
- City Zen - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:02 pm:
==opponents of the Fair Tax are trying to use it to score cheap political points.==
…before the proponents could.
- OpentoDiscussion - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:02 pm:
- Former Dem - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 12:53 pm:
No problem, public employees will still be drawing checks and retirees will have their 3% cola . Why not pension reform on the ballot?’
And PRECISELY what would that language include?
- the Patriot - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:02 pm:
==97% will see no raise in their taxes.==
Let’s wager on that. I don’t believe the actual numbers will ever be close to 97%, but within 5 years it will be much higher. It is the Madigan bait and switch.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:05 pm:
=== Let’s wager on that.===
(Sigh)
There’s nothing to wager. Your anger is one thing, the idea of how it was passed is another.
===but within 5 years it will be much higher.===
Lemme guess, you predicted the Coronavirus pandemic too.
How many times have income taxes been raised in 30 years?
What Governor is going to sign a income tax in 5 years?
You know who will be governor in 5 years too?
Ugh.
- OpentoDiscussion - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:08 pm:
- the Patriot - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:02 pm:
==97% will see no raise in their taxes.==
Let’s wager on that. I don’t believe the actual numbers will ever be close to 97%, but within 5 years it will be much higher. It is the Madigan bait and switch.”
And that goes to my point of the actual language of the proposed amendment. Will it be as I see it mentioned in the media or will it be some vague language that could mean almost anything in the future.
- Driving a car - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:12 pm:
By this rationale, the GOP opponent to, say, Durbin should have to drop out.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:13 pm:
- OpentoDiscussion -
I believe early May(?) is when all these amendments reach a deadline to pass.
May thru November, less, you know, the global pandemic we’re fighting, you can weigh your decision then.
- Captain Obvious - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:16 pm:
Bout to get real up in here. When the crisis passes, two things will be true. Tax revenue To the state will be way down and the economy will be in shambles. While the state will need to build revenue as quickly as possible, any tax increase at that point, even one on those greedy rich folks would be extremely ill-advised, as there would be great risk of much further damage to the economy. So the best way to increase revenue to the state would be to get the economy healthy first before you tax it to death. Therefore it would be wise to either set the unfair tax proposal aside or if they don’t do that, vote it down.
- Pundent - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:16 pm:
=I don’t believe the actual numbers will ever be close to 97%, but within 5 years it will be much higher.=
Have a hunch do you? I know a guy that operates that way. Tends to be met with disastrous consequences.
- Nonbeliever - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:18 pm:
Oswego,
Yep, that is what Koehler indicated:
Thank you for the inquire. I spoke with the state board of elections and the graduated income tax amendment has not been filed yet for the general elections. They tell me they have until May to file referendums. Here is a link to search referendums for every county in the state of Illinois:
https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/ReferendaSearch.aspx?MID=3gf5qf69FHo%3d&T=637193641937705967
- Bubble Popper - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:20 pm:
It would be psychopathic to not pass the FairTax. Providing revenue for hospitals and clinics is literally a matter of death. Not only should JB not pull it, he should be aggressively promoting it as a critical public health measure.
- OpentoDiscussion - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:25 pm:
Oswego,
Yep, that is what Koehler indicated:
Thank you for the inquire. I spoke with the state board of elections and the graduated income tax amendment has not been filed yet for the general elections. They tell me they have until May to file referendums. Here is a link to search referendums for every county in the state of Illinois:
https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/ReferendaSearch.aspx?MID=3gf5qf69FHo%3d&T=637193641937705967
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:29 pm:
- OpentoDiscussion -
Then you know.
- walker - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 1:43 pm:
Since the vast bulk of small businesses would get an income tax cut, this is just more nonsense from the usual suspects. We should be focusing on keeping small businesses alive right now.
- OpentoDiscussion - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 2:00 pm:
Oswego,
No, I still don’t know. As pointed out to you it should be released in May.
Then I will know>
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 2:02 pm:
- OpentoDiscussion -
Don’t be the person who argues… to argue.
You got your answer.
Thanks.
- OpentoDiscussion - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 2:49 pm:
Oswego.
My original post had already said May from Koehler:
“Thank you for the inquire. I spoke with the state board of elections and the graduated income tax amendment has not been filed yet for the general elections. They tell me they have until May to file referendums. Here is a link to search referendums for every county in the state of Illinois:
https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/ReferendaSearch.aspx?MID=3gf5qf69FHo%3d&T=637193641937705967
Try reading a post and stop the overwhelming and needless urge to be an expert when you are not.
So don’t restate the obvious.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 2:55 pm:
- OpentoDiscussion -
I was making sure your “concerned trolling” is noted.
You know the answer, now what?
To the Post,
The property tax issue needs a Herculean lift, matching not only income tax, but K-12 funding, and Higher Ed funding too.
Deciding this is a property tax “no go” is as simple of a thought as “we shouldn’t, because” on those other issues too.
It’s embarrassingly pathetic that Mr. Besler’s group decides to look at this as an important discussion.
I, again, ask aloud… let’s find that legislator that will also carry this banner.
Today.
Now.
I want to see that legislator stand with Mr. Besler, today.
- Tawk - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 3:04 pm:
===Since the vast bulk of small businesses would get an income tax cut===
This is completely missing the point. How much of all small business income sees a tax hike? Hint: Not 3%.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 3:08 pm:
=== This is completely missing the point.===
No, you don’t like the point.
97% will see no increase in their income tax.
If you wanna frame this as “have and have nots” in this pandemic with healthcare also as a “have and have not”, I’m guessing that won’t go well.
It’s 3% of those income tax filers.
You should find a legislator willing to stand up right now and agree with you, maybe hold a press conference, I think the governor should be done by 4, the room is set up…
- Hieronymus - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 3:32 pm:
==No problem, public employees will still be drawing checks and retirees will have their 3% cola . Why not pension reform on the ballot?==
And bondholders will still be collecting their principal and interest payments.
- Pundent - Monday, Mar 23, 20 @ 4:22 pm:
There is no “status quo” option where everyone continues to pay the same rates. Either we increase taxes on a minority of the population or increase taxes on everyone.
- Arock - Tuesday, Mar 24, 20 @ 9:52 am:
When Pritzker and his family move all their money back into the US and pay all past tax obligations on the money then he can push his Fair Tax and be legitimate about it. If we are all equal as the Democrats say then everyone should pay the same percentage. We go into a store and we all pay the same prices for the same goods and service, the payment for government services should not be any different.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 24, 20 @ 9:57 am:
=== When Pritzker and his family move all their money back into the US and pay all past tax obligations…===
It has to be tiring to find ways to be angry at the same thing and fitting it into whatever will let you vent.
=== If we are all equal as the Democrats say then everyone should pay the same percentage.===
This makes NO sense to your beef with the Governor, so you want him to pay the same freight? So you’re siding with the rich?
LOL
“Siding with the wealthy to own Pritzker”
Maybe go back to sleep and start the day over.