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Gonzales attends tax hike rally, says he’s not done with politics

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* Progress Illinois reports on a Monday Chicago protest…

Fair Economy Illinois wants lawmakers to take up their “People and Planet First Budget” plan, which seeks to raise $23 billion in annual state revenue by enacting a graduated income tax, closing various corporate tax loopholes and passing a LaSalle Street tax on financial transactions.

Activists say the revenue could be invested in education, health care, infrastructure, human services, public pensions and green energy development

Jason Gonzales, who lost to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in the primary election, was at the protest.

In an interview with Progress Illinois, Gonzales blasted Madigan for “participating in the ability for companies like Exelon and others to dodge their tax responsibility.”

“I believe Exelon and others need to pay their fair share,” Gonzales said.

Asked whether he has any plans to run again, Gonzales said: “I haven’t really decided yet. Honestly, I’m still mulling my political future, but I’m not leaving politics.”

* From Exelon…

Exelon pays our fair share of taxes to the state, and suggestions to the contrary are simply false. Including ComEd, Exelon has more than 12,000 employees in Illinois and is the ninth largest company in the state. We rank among the state’s largest taxpayers, paying $456 million in state and local taxes in 2015. Exelon has made its headquarters in Chicago since its founding and is a major economic engine for the state, investing billions of dollars annually to ensure the Illinois economy is powered by clean, reliable energy. These investments, along with our significant contributions to nonprofit institutions across the state, support thousands of additional jobs in Illinois. Being a good corporate citizen is among our core values, and that includes paying our fair share of taxes to support schools, government agencies and other services that benefit our customers and communities.

Regarding ComEd specifically, today’s protestors misunderstand the impact of tax policies to utility customers. Thanks to the regulated process by which rates in Illinois are set each year, it is ComEd’s customers who benefit from tax decreases, not ComEd. ComEd’s tax decreases are reflected in customer bills.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 3:10 pm

Comments

Like Scott Lee Cohen…

They might not be done with politics, but politics is done with both of them.

The lack of self-awareness by Gonzalez is fun, very Peraica-like…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 3:12 pm
I’m sure the people who backed his last election are really happy with his tax policies

Comment by Chungas revenge Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 3:27 pm
Exelon: “Being a good corporate citizen is among our core values, and that includes paying our fair share of taxes to support schools, government agencies and other services that benefit our customers and communities.”
******
Exelon has their own idea of what their “fair share” is, and actively disputes to for years and years and years. Even if Clinton closes, the recipients of those property tax dollars are still possibly on the hook to have to PAY Exelon back if the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board rules in favor of Exelon. Byron, LaSalle, and many other Exelon “communities” are in the same boat. And now that Exelon has purchase some “new” plants in NY for basically nothing, that gives them a basis to say, “See, old plants aren’t worth much- but we still want taxpayer subsidies to keep us running.”

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 3:30 pm
I feel like Gonzales going full PIRG is a bit of an odd result.

Comment by Ok Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 3:43 pm
Exelon’s providing “clean” energy now? Did I miss the news about it getting rid of its nukes and buying windmills?
And the part about being a good corporate citizen, does that mean Exelon is turning over a new (green?) leaf?

Comment by Nobody Sent Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 3:54 pm
===Activists say the revenue could be invested in education, health care, infrastructure, human services, public pensions and green energy development===

I think it would be better if Illinois spent any extra revenue on paying off the large debts that has been built up over the years.

Comment by Small town taxpayer Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 4:12 pm
If Jason Gonzales were done with politics, how would we know?

Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 4:13 pm
“I’m still mulling my political future, but I’m not leaving politics.”

Gonzo’s like a fella who’s not leaving his wife but goes home to find that she’s changed the locks.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 4:25 pm
Gonzalez is a paid pest. Rauner has his friends and business associates pay him just to annoy Madigan. That says something about both Gonzalez and Rauner.

Comment by Old Timer Dem Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 4:29 pm
You never go full PIRG!

Everyone knows that!

Comment by Ggeo Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 5:05 pm
So why didn’t Exelon state exactly how much they pay the state in taxes ?

Comment by Seymourkid Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 5:17 pm
Oh, he’s done. It just hasn’t settled in yet.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 6:22 pm