* Andy Shaw thinks Illinois should tax retirement income…

It’s estimated a retirement tax could bring in up to $2 billion a year, real money in a state that’s broke and getting broker.

But seniors can chill because, as I said, it’s unlikely this year.

As an old dude who’d be whacked by the tax, I’m relieved.

As an old dude who worries about the mountain of debt we’re piling onto our children and grandchildren, I think it should at least be considered as part of an overall solution.

Lawmakers in 40 states bit the bullet, faced the wrath of seniors and imposed a tax on retirement income.

Most are still around to talk about it.

But this is Illinois, a dystopian government Wonderland where a refusal to even consider the obvious is business as usual.

The Mad Hatter would love it.

* But AARP is not taking any chances and has launched an ad campaign just in case somebody tries to move it forward. Click here to see the newspaper ad, which is running in these papers…

Chicago Tribune
Chicago Sun-Times
Rockford Register Star
Champaign News Gazette
Springfield Journal Register
Peoria Journal Star
Belleville News Democrat

* They’re also running a radio ad. Rate it…

* Script…

Illinois is in a deep fiscal crisis – and special interests and some elected officials are proposing a tax on your retirement income in order to solve it.

That just isn’t right or fair.

Retired Illinoisans did not cause this mess. They certainly shouldn’t be sacrificed to clean it up.

Ninety-percent of older Illinoisans, including those still working strongly rejected a tax on retirement income according to an AARP survey.

A tax on retirement income would have a dire financial impact on retirees and their families.

That’s why AARP is fighting to protect the financial security of retired Illinoisans and to make sure taxpayers are represented at the table.

Take action, fight back and make your voice heard! Urge your legislators to oppose the taxation of retirement income.

Call xxx-xxx-xxxx/visit aarp.org/xxxx today. That’s xxx-xxx-xxxx/aarp.org/xxxx.

[We can’t let them fix the budget on the backs of retired Illinoisans!]

Paid for by AARP

* The ad is running on these stations…

WDWS-AM (Champaign)
WBBM-AM (Chicago)
WGN-AM (Chicago)
WJPF-AM (Southern Illinois)
WMBD-AM (Peoria)
WROK-AM (Rockford)
WTAX-AM (Springfield-Decatur)
WMAY-AM (Springfield-Decatur)