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.
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.”
Jim Reilly, a downstate Illinois lawmaker who became chief of staff to two governors and headed agencies that oversaw mass transit in the Chicago area, state construction projects and the operations of McCormick Place and Navy Pier, has died at 77.
He died of pneumonia Monday at the St. Joseph Village assisted living facility in Chicago, where he had been recovering from a fall, according to Steve Schlickman, a friend who was executive director of the Regional Transportation Agency during Mr. Reilly’s 2005-2010 tenure as chairman of the RTA board.
Schlickman credited Mr. Reilly with steering that agency through a period when it faced a $400 million yearly shortfall.
“As chairman of the RTA, he did more for transit than any other chairman of that organization that I’m aware of for the last 42 years,” Schlickman said. “He helped secure a [state] funding initiative that avoided huge cuts in service and fare increases in 2008.”
A Springfield native, Reilly graduated from the University of Chicago Law School and worked for the downstate city of Jacksonville before he became a state representative in 1977. Before serving in the Illinois House, Reilly also taught grade school in Winchester, Illinois.
He was chief of staff to former Republican Gov. Jim Thompson, and returned to the same role during Gov. Jim Edgar’s reelection campaign. […]
As Edgar recovered from emergency quadruple-bypass heart surgery, Reilly was “a familiar and respected stand-in for the governor,” the Tribune reported in 1994. The Tribune described Reilly as “an administrator with a well-known contempt for inertia.” […]
Between those stints, Reilly headed the city’s convention and tourism bureau. Later, he was chairman of the RTA board as the region’s transportation agencies sought to avoid financial doomsday. He helped avoid the worst-case scenario, and worked to plug a huge CTA pension shortfall, said Steve Schlickman, who was executive director of RTA at the time.
“He was a guy that was so nonpartisan in that position,” Schlickman said. “He worked so easily with both sides of the aisle, and he had great relationships with Democratic leadership as well as the Republican.”
“Jim Reilly was, I think, the most significant (Illinois) individual in the last 30 years, maybe 40, who wasn’t elected,” says former Gov. Jim Edgar, for whom Reilly worked as chief of staff 1994-95. “He could walk with and get things done with Democrats and Republicans.” […]
“He was one of a kind. There weren’t many like him,” says former state Rep. Judy Erwin, D-Chicago, who got to know Reilly when she was press aide to then-Illinois Senate President Phil Rock and continued to interact with him through her days as chair of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. “It’s sort of a bygone era.” […]
“We both went into the (Illinois) House at the same time,” recalls Edgar. That experience moved Edgar into the higher office, as secretary of state and later as governor. It also brought Reilly, a self-described Rockefeller Republican, to the attention of Gov. Jim Thompson, a big-ideas type with a knack for finding top talent. Thompson made Reilly his counsel and then chief of staff.
* Marilynn Gardner, Navy Pier President & CEO…
“Navy Pier is saddened to learn of the passing of Jim Reilly, Life Trustee of Navy Pier, former Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), RTA and Chicago Convention Chief. Jim played an extremely significant role in the redevelopment and philanthropic support of Navy Pier. He worked alongside our Board of Directors and countless Pier staff members to advance our mission as a welcoming, inclusive, nonprofit cultural institution for all.”
“Jim was an amazing leader and colleague, and, most importantly, friend to us all at the Pier. We cherish his vision for Navy Pier and promise to uphold his legacy by keeping our destination exciting, accepting and available for everyone to experience. His contributions to Navy Pier will truly never be forgotten.”
* From his official obituary…
His interests were many and varied, but first and foremost, he considered the highlight of his life to be his love and affection for his wife of 30 years, M. Veronica Lynch. They were true companions and best friends.
Trains, both real and model, were among his many favorite pastime passions, highlighted by showcasing his train network for his many nieces and nephews during the holiday gatherings. They, and all who knew him, enjoyed his quick wit and easy smile.
The Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra reflected his appreciation and passion for music, surpassed only by his commitment and dedication to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. In the sports world, as a true Chicagoan, the Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls were his rooting interests, although his years spent in downstate Illinois led to the St. Louis Cardinals becoming his favorite baseball team.
Jim’s sense of adventure found him traveling extensively, both overseas and throughout the United States. His visits to Europe were frequent and he enjoyed calling the British Island of Tortola a second home. Favorite destinations were many, but he particularly appreciated Vienna, Taiwan, Venice, Kenya, and Paris.
Numerous charities were recipients of Jim’s generous support. Navy Pier, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Mercy Hospital, the Illinois Institute of Technology, Choose Chicago, the Boards of the Jacksonville Area Association of Citizens with Intellectual Disability, the Jacksonville Theater Guild, Illinois College, the Edgar Fellows Program and Chicago’s culture and arts community were among the organizations benefiting from his guidance.
The man loved his state and did a lot of good along the way. He was Illinois’ go-to guy and there will never be another like him.
…Adding… Illinois Council of Convention & Visitor Bureaus…
Jim Reilly understood the powerful connection between tourism and economic growth and prosperity for Illinois, serving as a visionary for the Illinois convention and tourism industry. His legacy will guide our state’s second largest industry for generations to come. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who was lucky to call him a friend and a colleague.
* It was reported elsewhere today that Delia Ramirez only raised $303K. She raised $416K, with $303K coming from within CD3, which is pretty darned good…
Momentum continues to grow for Delia Ramirez’s bid for congress. Today, she announced her campaign raised over $303,000 with 1,800 contributions from people in the 3rd Congressional District. In addition, Ramirez has raised more than $416,000 for her campaign since her launch. The latest poll shows Delia Ramirez leading by 15 points as her broad coalition continues to grow.
“I’m honored by the overwhelming grassroots support that my campaign has received. Our campaign is fueled by people, not corporations or special interests,” said 3rd Congressional District candidate Delia Ramirez. “The constituents have sent a clear message in the 3rd Congressional District - they are tired of the status quo politics that only works for a select few and corporations.”
According to the latest polling numbers, 63% of constituents in the 3rd Congressional District want to elect a bold progressive and for leadership that is accountable to the people and not to corporations or special interests. Delia Ramirez has been endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, Chicago Teachers Union, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Mijente, Architectural and Ornamental Iron Workers Union 63, Elect Democratic Women, EMILY’s List, and the United Working Families and Working Families Party.
“Momentum is on our side. Our campaign has been endorsed by a slew of progressive Members of Congress, over 47 elected officials in Illinois, a third of them who overlap with the 3rd Congressional District, and more than two dozen national and grassroots organizations including labor partners who recognize the need to support a real champion for working families in Illinois,” said Mayra Lopez-Zuniga, campaign manager.
* Alexi Giannoulias…
Today, we announced our first quarter fundraising numbers, and thanks to your generosity and support to our campaign, we exceeded our fundraising goal and raised over $600,000!
For dozens of unlucky politicians in Illinois, a springtime scramble is under way as they fight to stave off objections to their candidacy paperwork. […]
About 140 objections were filed. State hearing officers are handling 75 of them, including statewide races. Local election authorities will adjudicate ballot challenges for districts that are contained entirely in a single county or Chicago. […]
In 2020, 111 objections were filed with 44 overruled and 26 sustained, meaning an elections board voted to remove candidates from the ballot. Another 23 candidates opted to withdraw, and 14 objections were dropped. In 2018, there were 155 objections, with 33 sustained and 55 overruled. Another 24 candidates dropped out and 39 objections were withdrawn. And in 2016, there were 146 objections, with 34 sustained and 46 overruled. Another 31 candidates opted out of running and 30 objections were withdrawn.
Former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan is still planning political strategy for the state’s June primary election, even though he was indicted on bribery and racketeering charges last month, according to sources.
Multiple sources told NBC 5 Madigan on Saturday led a meeting at the office on Chicago’s Southwest Side where he has directed political meetings for decades.
Madigan asked the 30 or so precinct captains who attended the early morning meeting to identify who will be voting early, by absentee or on Election Day, June 28. No mention was made of his recent federal indictment.
Madigan remains the 13th Ward Democratic committeeman and a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. The former house speaker is not running again for the State Central Committee. His term expires ends in August.
John Milhiser reacted…
Mike Madigan may be facing federal indictment on 22 counts, allegedly leading a “criminal enterprise” designed to bolster his own power, but that isn’t stopping him from continuing to strategize for his candidates in the June primary. Madigan’s continued involvement shows that the culture of corruption runs deep in this state and needs to be rooted out.
John Milhiser released the following statement on Madigan’s continued involvement in Illinois politics:
“Mike Madigan may not be in office anymore, but his culture of corruption doesn’t just end. Madigan’s continued involvement in the state’s politics show exactly why the people of Illinois no longer believe their leaders work for the good of the people. The Democrats running in this race personify this culture Madigan has fostered, pointing fingers at one another to show who is more corrupt and less ethical. We need public servants, not career politicians, elected to statewide office to root out this corruption from the inside.”
“People want to hear what he has to say. The general consensus of people I talk to in central Illinois is that there’s a trust issue,” Jim Rule, chairman of the Tazewell County Republicans, told Playbook. “He comes from what some people view as a Chicago machine or may think that. He has in fact voted Democrat a number of times in the past. That doesn’t resonate well with people.”
The Tazewell GOP is organizing a candidate forum April 25 and state Sen. Darren Bailey, former state Sen. Paul Schimpf, businessmen Gary Rabine and Jesse Sullivan, and attorney Max Solomon have committed to attend.
Irvin hasn’t responded to repeated requests to participate, Rule said.
Irvin’s absence from live political discourse seems to reflect a national trend among GOP candidates this election season. Across the country, Republicans are ducking primary debates and trying to have greater control of how their messaging gets out, according to POLITICO’s David Siders. […]
The debate dodge is a political tactic to avoid going on the record on issues that may play differently in the primary than the general election. More conservative voters come out for the primary, so answers to questions about views on the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol or whether President Joe Biden won the presidency fair and square would differentiate conservative and mainstream GOP candidates.
* John Amdor’s Cricket met Oscar for the first time Saturday. They got along famously. Here they are hoping for a treat while we positioned them for photos…
Announcer: Who’s paying for this false ad against Richard Irvin? Check the fine print.
Mary Ann Ahern: The new ad paid for by the Democratic Governors Association. Republicans call it meddling.
Announcer: It sure is. JB Pritzker knows he can beat Darren Bailey and Jesse Sullivan. After all, they both supported Obama for President. Bailey even admitted he backed Joe Biden.
Bailey: I might have voted for Biden.
Announcer: So the next time you see Pritzker smearing Richard Irvin, don’t fall for it.
There’s no proof that Bailey voted for Obama in 2008. And, as you’ll see, he actually said he might’ve voted for Joe Biden in 2008, not 2020 as implied.
First of all, in 2008, you guys remember Rush Limbaugh? So he had Operation Chaos. And it was because everybody was scared to death of Hillary Clinton getting in. So the goal was if you didn’t have a local race, which, interestingly enough, we did at the time in Clay County, where I live at, we did not have a Republican running for state’s attorney. We had two Democrats running for State’s attorney. State’s attorneys grow up to be judges. So, I’ve never pulled a Democrat ballot in my life, but I can tell you, I’ll never do it again. Cindy and I being a, and this is, you’re gonna laugh at this, but the next two years Cindy and I were thinking, what if the world ends and Jesus comes back and we’re registered Democrats? That’s been that’s been 12 years, 14 years ago now. And you have no idea. And when I tell you this stuff, like I said you can walk over and ask Cindy about it. So I had a brother [crosstalk] I had a brother that followed him, and it made sense because it’s Hillary, I don’t even, I think I might have voted for Biden. I don’t even remember. Biden rhymes with [garbled]. I didn’t even know who these guys were in 2008. But we did that.
Emphasis added to show he’s being hit for voting for two Democratic presidential candidates in the very same primary. Also, please pardon all transcription errors.
Whatever the truth is, Bailey is gonna get absolutely freaking buried by this stuff if he doesn’t start fighting back on the air and in the boxes.
* And there is a way. A bit of Democratic oppo was tossed my direction today. Here’s Richard Irvin speaking in February of 2020 about former President Barack Obama…
And even through all of that, I don’t know if my grandfather, grandmother, or my slave-born great-grandfather could have ever imagined that our vote, our Black vote would make such a difference in this country that will elect a Black man to the presidency in 2008 when Barack Obama made history.
Also…
Mayor Richard C. Irvin and the City of Aurora congratulate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their historic election and empowering inauguration ceremony today. #POTUS#VPOTUS#UnitedStatesofAmericapic.twitter.com/fph2V8ouQ8
Again, none of this means anything if it ain’t on the air.
…Adding… Prompted by a commenter, I looked up Operation Chaos. According to Wikipedia, Limbaugh launched the program in late February of 2008. The 2008 Illinois primary was on Feb. 5. So, Bailey’s explanation may not actually be true.
In the past decade, a Chicago political insider’s company has raked in hundreds of millions of dollars through a state of Illinois program.
Now, a newly unsealed lawsuit alleges the company also schemed to “avoid paying Illinois income taxes” on the profits from its highly lucrative arrangement with the state.
The accusations target Vendor Assistance Program LLC, a Chicago company led by lawyer and lobbyist Brian Hynes. He got his start in politics as an aide to recently indicted former Illinois Democratic boss Michael Madigan, and Hynes also has close ties to disgraced ex-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis.
VAP has thrived as by far the biggest player in a program that allows a small group of state-certified companies to buy up debt from Illinois’ once-mountainous pile of unpaid bills.
VAP and the other companies in the program front unpaid state contractors 90% of what Springfield owes them — but later pocket late-penalty payments from the state, which pile up at a rate of 1% each month.
Hynes reached out to me today to point out, among other things, that all but two of the other companies which have participated in this program are either registered in Delaware or (one) in Minnesota. Click here for the list. Just one other company is registered in Illinois. I don’t really get this tax avoidance angle because the vast majority of these companies aren’t paying Illinois taxes anyway, and being an Illinois company is obviously not a requirement of the program. Also, most of the companies appear to be LLCs, which exist to pass corporate income through to individuals. But it’s definitely a kitchen sink story, so read the rest. Whew. Lots of threads.
* DeVore seems awful certain that there’s a case to be made, however…
A little-known provision of the SAFE-T Act — the criminal justice reform law Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed last year —now requires that criminal defendants who are on home confinement while awaiting trial must be given a minimum of two days a week to move freely, without being actively monitored.
During that time, they’re supposed to be working or looking for a job, undergoing treatment for mental illness or drug addiction, attending school or buying groceries, according to the law. […]
Since Jan. 1, about two dozen people have been arrested in Cook County while on essential movement time —about 1% of the people in the sheriff’s electronic-monitoring program, according to Cook County sheriff’s reports. […]
Sharone Mitchell, Cook County’s public defender, says it’s important to offer the two eight-hour periods free from monitoring and that the “vast majority” of people awaiting trial on electronic monitoring comply with the terms of their release, show up for court dates and don’t commit new crimes.
“Communities are safer when people who have not been convicted of a crime are able to take care of essential life activities, such as shopping for food, going to the laundromat and doctor appointments and picking up children from school,” he says.
Remember, these are people who are still waiting on a trial.
* ILGOP…
Last Friday, the Sun-Times reported on more outrageous, pro-criminal consequences of Governor JB Pritzker’s anti-police bill (SAFE-T Act). Criminal defendants on home confinement while awaiting trial are now required to be set free at least two days a week with no monitoring.
“During that time, they’re supposed to be working or looking for a job, undergoing treatment for mental illness or drug addiction, attending school or buying groceries, according to the law.”
They’re “supposed” to be doing those things. But, unsurprisingly, criminals are using time off monitoring to commit more crimes.
From the Chicago Sun-Times…
“Since Jan. 1, about two dozen people have been arrested in Cook County while on essential movement time —about 1% of the people in the sheriff’s electronic-monitoring program, according to Cook County sheriff’s reports.
One man was accused of committing an armed robbery.
Others were charged with illegal gun possession and drug dealing.
Three went on shoplifting sprees, police say.
Two others were shot to death.”
Even fellow Democrat and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart finds this provision of the SAFE-T Act not particularly safe, saying, “At a bare minimum, they should say, ‘If you’re charged with a violent offense, and you’re given home monitoring, you don’t get to wander around free for two days a week.” Dart also said that the 1% figure might be understating the issue because violent crimes like shootings do not always result in an arrest being made.
Yet again, as Illinois and Chicago experience a rising wave of violent crime, the Governor’s pro-criminal policies get exposed as wildly out of touch and downright dangerous to the public.
Look, if you were the armed robbery victim, you probably and understandably feel like you never should’ve gone through that. And Dart is right that not everyone who commits a crime is caught.
But programs with calculable 1 percent failure rates are generally considered pretty darned good.
As you probably already know, the Democratic Governors Association recently launched a TV ad blasting Republican gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin for claiming to be a crime-fighter while having defended dangerous criminals as a defense attorney.
“Richard Irvin’s real record on crime?” the DGA ad begins. “For 15 years, Irvin has been a defense lawyer, profiting by defending some of the most violent and heinous criminals. Domestic abusers and sexual assaults. Kidnapper who molested a child. Reckless homicide. Even accused child pornographers. Irvin has been getting rich by putting violent criminals back on our streets. Tell Richard Irvin to stop pretending to be tough on crime and start supporting policies to keep people safe.”
Irvin, in response, said, “For months, I’ve told voters that [Gov. J.B.] Pritzker was desperate and would do anything to win. Now, Pritzker is trying to hijack the Republican primary because he can’t run from the facts: Crime is out of control, tax hikes continue, and corruption lives on in state government under Pritzker’s reign.”
Irvin released a TV ad with much the same message the following day.
Irvin has hyped the crime problem during his campaign, blaming the governor for the deteriorating situation. Crime is being used by the GOP throughout the country as a cudgel against Democrats, and the issue is no doubt helping Irvin’s poll numbers as his funding from the state’s wealthiest resident, Ken Griffin, has paid for endless TV and online ads, as well as direct mail. So, the idea of the DGA ad is to undermine Irvin’s credibility with Republican voters and prevent him from winning the primary.
The Republicans pointed out a few ironies, or hypocrisies, in the ad. For instance, DGA Chair Roy Cooper was himself a criminal defense attorney. Pritzker, a lawyer, donated $100 million to Northwestern University’s law school in 2015. And Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton attended Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s first confirmation hearing for the U.S. Supreme Court. Jackson is a former criminal defense attorney.
Unlike Irvin, however, none of these Democrats have positioned themselves as crime-fighting super heroes.
This is all happening as the spring legislative session winds down, and one item at the top of the majority Democratic Party’s agenda is public safety. The party is dealing with sharp internal divisions over how to deal with the topic. This ad campaign, paid for with Democratic money, will only reinforce the GOP’s “get tough on crime” message. Not great timing.
If past is prologue, the next TV ad from the DGA will come close to a statement released last week by Pritzker’s campaign after far-right Republican gubernatorial candidate Sen. Darren Bailey publicized a gun raffle fundraiser.
“This is just another example of how out of touch and extreme Darren Bailey’s conservative views are,” the Pritzker campaign claimed.
Now, roll back the clock to the 2018 Republican primary. The DGA weighed in with two TV ads, one attacking Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and another claiming Rauner’s GOP primary opponent Jeanne Ives was “too conservative for Illinois.” The Ives-related ad went on to point out she wanted to ban abortion, had an “A” rating from the NRA and that she marched in “lockstep with President Trump, trying to eliminate protections for undocumented immigrants.”
Pritzker preferred to run against the more beatable Ives, so the DGA helped boost her bonafides. The same will likely happen this year for Bailey.
The big difference between now and then is the DGA didn’t start running its TV ads until five days before the 2018 primary. We’re now almost three full months before our June 28 primary. That suggests a far more aggressive, expensive and lengthy campaign against Irvin and, likely, for Bailey (and any other avenues the DGA wants to pursue) than we saw four years ago.
If Irvin makes it out of this primary, he will have the best chance of anyone at giving Pritzker a real run for his money. Irvin can tap limitless funds from billionaire Griffin, he’ll have history on his side as potentially the state’s first Black governor, and he has a very strong and experienced team.
Bailey so far hasn’t raised the money or demonstrated he’s put together the infrastructure necessary to take on the spectacularly well-funded and staffed-up Irvin. I don’t like this meddling stuff, either, but if the Democrats leave Bailey to his own devices while Irvin dumps millions into advertising and opposition research and state party leaders continue to climb on board his bandwagon, Bailey probably won’t make it.
* Yeah, things can sometimes seem like a bummer during session, particularly as the adjournment looms. But, those of us who are in this business are truly fortunate and I’m grateful every day for this opportunity…
* Background is here if you need it. I’m told that Senate President Don Harmon “fully supports” the tax cut plan unveiled on Friday. Here’s Amber Wilson from Economic Security for Illinois on behalf of the Coalition to Make EIC Work…
“We were disappointed that Senate leaders offered a nearly $2 billion dollar tax relief proposal that leaves behind low-income families and immigrant workers. We are glad to see that a much-needed expansion to the Earned Income Credit is on the table in the budgeting process, however, we know what was offered does not meet the needs of our communities at this critical moment. The average low-income worker would see only a few dozen dollars back, whereas the proposal our coalition supports would have offered hundreds more in a refund check at tax time.
The Coalition finds it particularly troubling that the Senate did not expand the full credit to low-income workers who are currently ineligible for the EIC. While the proposal would include immigrants who file taxes with an ITIN in the Earned Income Credit, it would subjugate them to an entirely different tax scheme that prevents the opportunity of receiving a refund check. ITIN filers pay the same taxes as those who have earned full citizenship and they should be offered the same chance at relief. Childless adults who are ineligible for the credit because of their age are completely absent from the Senate proposal.
During their announcement, we were heartened to hear Senate leaders tout the Earned Income Credit as “critical” and the “most effective anti-poverty tool we have,” and we encourage them, and their colleagues in both legislative chambers and the Governor’s Office, to take advantage of the popular and effective Earned Income Credit by offering it to excluded workers and increasing the value for all who qualify.”
The coalition includes groups like AARP Illinois, Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Urban League, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Illinois Nurses Association, Illinois Public Interest Research Group, Latino Policy Forum, Metropolitan Planning Council, Service Employees International Union - Healthcare, SEIU locals 1, and 73, Shriver Center on Poverty Law, United Food & Commercial Workers - Local 881, United Way of Illinois, Voices for Illinois Children and Women Employed.
There is, however, one more fiscally responsible thing the state can do that will really help families across Illinois: enact the initiatives detailed in House Bill 4920 and Senate Bill 3774.
First, the legislation would enhance the state’s existing Earned Income Credit – by increasing its dollar value as well as expanding eligibility for claiming it. Illinois’ EIC, which is based on the EITC given at the federal level, is a “refundable” tax credit targeted to low-income workers. This effectively puts money in the pockets of folks who need it most. And we know it works. When benefits provided under the federal EITC were increased as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, almost 1.5 million Illinoisans benefited.
The proposed Illinois legislation would also create a new refundable Child Tax Credit to help low-to-no-income families with dependent children. Again, we know this will make a meaningful difference if it becomes law. When the federal Child Tax Credit was increased under ARPA, it benefited nearly 90 percent of Illinois children who are under age 17. […]
Expanding the state EIC and creating a new Child Tax Credit as legislators have proposed, would give up to 4.8 million Illinoisans – or about 40 percent of the state’s population – at least $600 back in tax refunds, make the state’s tax policy fairer, reduce child poverty, and support lower-wage workers. Better yet, those refunds will get pumped right back into local economies across Illinois. In fact, we estimate the state’s private sector economy will realize a stimulus that could top $1 billion if these credits are fully implemented as proposed – far more than the estimated upfront cost of about $415 million.
* More on the EIC component…
* Illinois Senate Democrats introduce $1.8 billion tax relief plan: The legislation also includes an expansion of the state’s earned income tax credit for young adults, anyone 65 and older, and undocumented immigrants or others with an individual taxpayer identification number. Sen. Omar Aquino also pushed to have the state’s EIC increase from 18% to 19% for taxable years after January 1, 2023. Aquino is one of several lawmakers fighting for more low-income Illinoisans to get access to the earned income tax credit. While that plan was included in this legislation, the creation of a child tax credit was left out, although Aquino explained that families could still have extra money coming in through the one-time refunds. “This is a proposal that we want to get out there so that we can get to the table and talk to the governor and his folks and also there’s another side of the building as well that has to be a part of this conversation,” Aquino said. “But the Senate Democrats are putting our proposal on the table and wanting to support families throughout the entire state.”
* Crime and budget are top of mind for Illinois lawmakers as session wraps up Friday: A part of the Senate proposal sponsored by Aquino includes a smaller increase in the credit but not the expansion of eligibility that advocates are seeking. The issue is still in play, according to sources familiar with negotiations, who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss closed-door talks. But a final agreement hinges on finding a consensus that doesn’t create a budget hole in future years, sources said.
* Most of the newsy posts won’t be posted until tomorrow, and I’m doubting we’ll see more than a handful of comments today. But I promised y’all that I’d open up the blog, so here you go.
