* Background is here if you need it. Letter from numerous Illinois House members including at least 3 Republicans…

April 4, 2022

Dear Governor Pritzker:

The undersigned write to urge you for your support for a budget that provides tangible tax relief for hard-working Illinois families.

A proposal to expand the Earned Income Credit (EIC) would offer over 4.8 million Illinois residents across every zip code and legislative district needed relief– in the form of a cash refund– at tax time. More credit to no-, low-, and middle-income families is not simply morally sound, but is also financially beneficial, as the proposed additional credit costs only a mere one percent of the State’s total budget and would create over one billion dollars in local and state economic benefits.

We are in the midst of a critical moment where the pandemic continues to harm our most vulnerable communities. At this moment, however, the federal government has been unable to continue supporting the families most affected. Thus, it becomes our duty to ensure the State of Illinois to step up to the plate and provide solutions for the families in need of financial aid.

The Fiscal Year 2023 budget will be generationally important to our constituents and comes at a critical moment. We ask you to convey to the legislative leaders your desire that an expansion of the EITC be included in the State’s FY2023 budget legislation. We have the funds to act, what we need from you is a commitment to proceed.

Click here to see the signatories.

* Response…

April 4, 2022

Dear Representatives,

Thank you for your letter expressing support for the EIC. I appreciate your passion on this issue, and it’s one that I share. My administration has always supported an expansion of the EIC. In fact, in 2019 we were proud to work with the 101st General Assembly to introduce HB5669, a bill that expands the EIC to:

• Permanently add individuals 18-24 without children
• Permanently add individuals 65+, and
• Add ITIN filers

It’s important to note that in that proposal, the EIC was refundable.

In addition to supporting an expansion of the EIC, I’d like to explore the possibility of targeting tax relief directly to low-to middle-income households who are eligible for the EIC.

Thank you again for your passion.

Sincerely,
Governor JB Pritzker

Pritzker’s most recent tax cut proposal didn’t mention the EIC.

…Adding… The governor’s office says the EIC expansion will cost $53.5 million, plus $25 milllion for every one percent increase.

…Adding… Amber Wilson, Statewide Coalition Manager at Economic Security for Illinois on behalf of the Coalition to Make EIC Work…

“We’re delighted to see the House and Governor’s Office align on the need to give more Illinois’ families and workers meaningful, permanent tax relief. The letters signal a commitment to expand the Earned Income Credit this year. We hope this can push budgeteers in both chambers to make EIC a top priority in the FY2023 budget.

While all Illinoisans have been impacted by the pandemic, we know that financial burden fell hardest on low-income Black and Brown families, which is why we are eager to see additional relief targeted to the families who could use the cash to pay for their basic living expenses this year.

Our coalition has been fighting since 2019 for an Earned Income Credit that includes ITIN filers, younger and older childless workers, and to make more credit available to each low- and middle-income family who qualifies. We feel confident 2022 is the year we can make it happen.”