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* Press release…
Last night, Democrats in Springfield abandoned compromise and rammed through a massive tax hike on a party-line vote. Their plan includes no real reform to grow jobs and no property tax relief for homeowners.
Today, the Illinois Republican Party is highlighting their disastrous decision with statewide and targeted robocalls.
Statewide robocalls highlight the Democrat’s tax-hike plan, and how Democratic candidates for Governor are falling in line behind the Madigan Tax Hike agenda.
* The statewide robocall…
* Statewide script…
Last night, Illinois Democrats took the first step in enacting a major tax hike without reforms.
It’s part of a scheme pushed by House Speaker Mike Madigan and Democrat candidates for governor like Chris Kennedy and J.B. Pritzker.
They’ve said Illinois’ top priority should be raising taxes by billions without reforms.
And yesterday, Democrat state senators voted to increase the income tax by 32% on every Illinoisan.
They passed a new sales tax on everyday services like Netflix, dry cleaning and television.
And chose to let property taxes continue to skyrocket.
The Democrats’ Tax Hike agenda is wrong for Illinois.
Instead, it’s time to pass real reforms to create jobs and a real property tax freeze to give homeowners relief.
Paid for by the Illinois Republican Party.
* Back to the press release…
Additional robocalls will target Democratic House members in competitive districts. Democratic House members can stand up to Mike Madigan and kill this disastrous tax hike.
The following House districts will receive the call.
HD 15 – John D’Amico
HD 17 – Laura Fine
HD 18 – Robyn Gabel
HD 43 – Anna Moeller
HD 44 – Fred Crespo
HD46 – Deb Conroy
HD 55 – Marty Moylan
HD 56 – Michelle Mussman
HD 57 – Elaine Nekritz
HD 59 – Carol Sente
HD 62 – Sam Yingling
HD 72 – Mike Halpin
HD 84 – Stephanie Kifowit
HD 98 – Natalie Manley
HD 96 – Sue Scherer
HD 111 – Dan Besier
HD 112 – Katie Stuart
HD 116 – Jerry Costello
HD 118 – Brandon Phelps
* Sample of the targeted robocalls…
* Targeted script…
Hi, this is Caroline with an urgent tax hike alert.
Repeat, this is an urgent tax hike alert.
Last night, with little debate, Senate Democrats in Springfield passed one of the largest tax hikes in state history.
Their plan will raise the income tax on every Illinoisan by 32%.
They passed huge taxes on everyday services like Netflix, dry cleaning and television.
And they chose to let property taxes continue to skyrocket.
Now the bill goes to Mike Madigan’s House for a vote.
You can help stop the tax hikes.
State representative Brandon Phelps, your representative in Springfield, can vote against the tax hike.
Call Rep. Phelps. Tell him to vote against the Madigan Tax Hike before it’s too late.
And tell Rep. Phelps it’s time to pass real reforms to create jobs and a real property tax freeze to give homeowners relief.
Paid for by the Illinois Republican Party
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:17 pm
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Rauner wants no deal. Rauner has $71 million to take this Senate vote and repackage 2 years of Rauner failing and make the message “Democrats want your wallet! I’m stopping them!”
…
I’m not concerned, the Dems will do exactly what they’ve find for 2 years… nothing… and wonder aloud why Rauner wins…
Every. Single. Day.
This is the worst. Not unexpected, but it still can be the worst.
Illinois is no closer to being saved, and Rauner is far better off than he was yesterday, like far, far, far better off…
… as the Dems silently take it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:22 pm
Madigan has reached out several times with an olive branch lately, and Rauner responds with a punch in the nose.
How does Rauner think this helps him get to 60 votes on anything?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:25 pm
So does this mean those 19 districts are the 2018 “Playing Field” i.e., ILGOP needs to get 9 of those 19 to get to 60?
Comment by Grand Avenue Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:26 pm
Wasn’t taxing services originally a Rauner proposal? And he is dissing the Democrats for something he proposed?
Comment by A Jack Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:30 pm
Please remind me GOP how you want to get something done. Keep telling your voters and students at EIU and WIU how much you feel their pain.
I almost wish the GOP would win the House so Durkin and his band of followers would find their green buttons and own up to what they have been selling and be forced to admit their magic dust solutions are just that.
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:31 pm
It almost seems as if the dems are trying to help get Rauner elected with this vote.
Comment by Real Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:36 pm
Every time I think things can’t get any more nuts, they prove me wrong. What exactly is a robocall accomplishing to help the people of Illinois? I can’t believe anyone can take the “it’s all Madigan’s fault” line seriously but I know there are people out there who will still fall for it. So sad that politics and campaigning are more important on the Governor’s agenda than trying to work with everyone to solve the problem his grandstanding has caused.
Comment by State Worker Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:36 pm
The “Madigan Tax Hike?” Give me a break.
Comment by ??? Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:36 pm
Someone should urgently alert GOP voters in Wheaton to the massive, job-crushing tax hike sponsored by Rep. Ives.
Comment by Reality Check Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:39 pm
Effective!
Comment by Lance Mannion Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:40 pm
Cullerton threw his party under the bus with this. This was one of the worst things to do. Everyone knows that Rauner wants no deal so why even attempt to do his job for him?
Comment by Real Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:42 pm
I hate, despise and detest all robocalls. This is one of the least hysterical and least objectionable robocalls I’ve heard, though.
Comment by Responsa Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:46 pm
===It almost seems as if the dems are trying to help get Rauner elected with this vote.===
Seriously. The Senate Dems have lost their minds. Not only do they not know what the score of the game is, I wonder if they don’t even know what the game is. Kudos to the ILGOP for doing exactly what I knew they were going to do; make the Illinois Democratic Party look like a bunch of fools.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:47 pm
Perhaps the Democrats should do their own robocall against Republicans who voted no on SB1719 to protect their sugar daddies.
Comment by A Jack Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:49 pm
Does anyone here actually care if there’s a state budget or are you all full-time political geniuses?
I think we now know why Leader Radogno was talked out of voting for the budget.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:50 pm
Just another part of the dance towards 2018. No one really paying attention should be surprised.
Comment by Deft Wing Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:50 pm
===Does anyone here actually care if there’s a state budget or are you all full-time political geniuses?===
Welp… when the SDems decide to go it alone, you know there won’t actually be a budget (it’ll be vetoed). But I am in the camp that thinks Rauner doesn’t want a budget. Everyone here knows Rauner is all about politics and not about governing. So the SDems attempting to govern without realizing their huge political misstep is only a recipe for further non-governance and more heated rhetoric. I mean, does it really take a genius to figure that out? Apparently if the is a “(D)” behind your name.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:55 pm
Where is the balanced IGOP budget? One that doesn’t really on magic beans, shorting the least fortunate, mythical management expertise, budget cuts Rauner’s own people can’t name, and unconstitutional pension reform?
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:56 pm
Property tax relief is needed. What are the other reforms that will help us pay down our debt? Not term limits. List please
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 2:58 pm
@RNUG
“Democrats want to raise your taxes.” That is so much easier to explain than magic beans, and unconstitutional pension reform.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:00 pm
A tax on dry cleaning and tattoos?
How about a tax on legal fees received for lowering property taxes? Seems like that’s an activity as harmful to the state as many others.
Comment by Downstate Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:07 pm
Hey Dems. Want to make people forget about the increased taxes and mismanagement on both sides? Want an issue the public would really support you on?
Ban Robocalls. Completely!
For Illinois, completely eliminate cold calling and robo-dialing. No exceptions for Politicians. No exceptions for charities. None, zero, nada.
And appropriate something like $25M for the Attorney General’s office to track down and prosecute violators. I’d consider that (and a reasonable budget) a fair trade-off for increased taxes.
The public will love you for it!
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:08 pm
To me, at least the Dems put together a balanced budget and moved it per the normal bugetary timeframe. Their play tells me that there will be no stop gap education budget this year. What will Rauners robocalls say when he vetos a balanced budget (assuming it gets to him) and schools have no state support come August?
Comment by Johnnie F. Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:08 pm
Since Rauner does not want to govern then the dems should not govern for him. In fact, they should play political games until Rauner compromises.
Madigan should make a press release saying house dems refuse to hike taxes until Rauner compromises with a plan to ease the tax burden on the middle-class and poor…. But the dems won’t do this. Idk why.
Comment by Real Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:09 pm
Don’t know about elsewhere but Lake County first installment real estate tax payments are due June 6. Does anybody think this targeted robocall will not have some effect while the pain is most fresh in homeowners’ minds and checkbooks?
Comment by Responsa Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:12 pm
Man, I really hope Madigan pops out the old Netsch tax swap plan and dares Rauner to get it.
Real new money for the schools and real property tax relief. Steals two of Rauner’s talking points. The ads would just write themselves.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:13 pm
== Does anybody think this targeted robocall will not have some effect while the pain is most fresh in homeowners’ minds and checkbooks? ==
That’s partly why I think the old Netsch plan is ripe for revival. Mix in some school accountability processes and you have property tax relief and school reform all tied up in a pretty package.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:16 pm
Just curious from those that say Dems shouldn’t have done this. What are they suppose to do. Doing nothing isn’t working. I would like better messaging on how they have moved to the middle and the GOP has no budged at all.
Stop assuming people know.
Comment by Adults in the room Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:17 pm
==Property tax relief is needed. What are the other reforms that will help us pay down our debt?==
How, exactly, does “property tax relief” help us pay down our debt? This, really, is the core of the problem; folks who want the budget fixed without recognizing that it will cost money (tax payer money) to do so. Property tax relief does absolutely nothing to pay down the debt; in fact, it increases the state’s costs.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:20 pm
===Doing nothing isn’t working.===
Correct. Solving this problem is difficult. We have a lot of people here who scream bloody murder every day about this impasse, but as soon as somebody does something real they’re pilloried by those very same people.
Either you want something done or you don’t.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:23 pm
===…the old Netsch plan is ripe for revival. Mix in some school accountability processes and you have property tax relief and school reform all tied up in a pretty package.===
More and more, this seems like the off-ramp with the best chance to at least move something to a critical mass.
Otherwise everything could be stuck in neutral, or worse, escalate far beyond robocalls.
I said a very long time ago…
Rauner wants a budget sent to him with Dem only votes on raising taxes and limited reforms so Rauner could point to where Dems fail.
The difference was that Dems could override.
Then Rauner would veto, pack the plane, van, whatever, and the millisecond the override votes occurred, travel the state to blame Dems.
These robocalls are a precursor to that obvious strategy.
The Netsch revival would make Rauner at least pump the brakes, figuratively and actualky. Maybe. lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:24 pm
And there it is. The Rauner and the Republicans he controls have never had any intention of passing a balanced budget. They have just been waiting for 2 1/2 for the Democrats to propose a tax increase so they could unleash those calls and inevitable $70 million of similar campaign ads to follow. Dumb move by Senate Dems, IMHO.
Comment by filmmaker prof Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:28 pm
Kennedy has no chance. This is one politician that would benefit from never smiling.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:33 pm
===Either you want something done or you don’t.===
Yes I want something. I want a budget passed and signed. On the road to that, though, I would prefer that the Democrats didn’t help reelect our horrible governor. And how does the SDems going it alone actually get us closer to a budget? Especially if you believe, as I, that the governor won’t sign any budget period that includes a tax increase. He can’t win reelection if he signs a tax increase. And he doesn’t care about governing. He cares about winning.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:48 pm
–How does Rauner think this helps him get to 60 votes on anything?–
That’s not the objective.
What is actually happening — predictable consequences to actions over two years — reveals the objective.
The state will finish the fiscal year in a month with a $16B backlog of bills. That’s nearly a $12B increase since Rauner took office.
That GRF operating deficit means the bleeding of higher ed and social services is in cement. It’s not possible, within the constraints of court-mandated funding, to restore them to FY15 levels.
As we know now, K-12 is at the end of the school year and has been shorted one billion. That makes Rauner’s self-professed greatest accomplishment — increasing K-12 by $750M– a lie.
All these crazy collectivist things like schools, and community colleges, public universities, and common decency for those in need, have been given a governmental vivisection.
And not one GOP legislator will say a peep about it, so scared they are for their useless phony-baloney jobs.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 3:57 pm
I can still see where the Democrats can win the next election. Assuming alot of pritzker money and if the state is so bad off that many people have simply given up on BR and the repubs. That I feel is the most accurate assessment of the 2018 races.
Comment by Whoelse Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 4:11 pm
Mr/Ms Give me a break. a
“I almost wish the GOP would win the House so Durkin and his band of followers would find their green buttons”
What makes you think they won’t need a lot of House votes NOW?
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 4:19 pm
Hard to reconcile how the Senate Democrats suddenly think passing a permanent tax hike without the necessary concessions on a property tax to earn a bipartisan approval is a good idea and extending the last tax hike without Republican votes was not
They are walking the plank for no reason on a bill that will get signed by the Governor when the last one most certainly would have been signed by Governor Quinn
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 4:27 pm
Same rhetoric, why don’t the Republicans help with the solution then?
Comment by Valvino Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 4:30 pm
Actually, to be perfectly blunt, I’m better off if they do nothing, at least in terms of my immediate family situation as a member of the state’s middle class. Yes, I know many say the entire state may collapse if nothing changes, and I would then suffer from the resulting universal deterioration. But my immediate need is for more disposable income to meet various family needs, and the Democrats apparently want to raise my income taxes and at the same time allow my property taxes to continue to rise unabated, to the point where I’ll no longer be able to justify the outlay on my current home and will have to move to an area with fewer services and amenities.
I can’t be the only one in this situation.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 5:12 pm
Couldn’t have said it better than Wordslinger.
Comment by Lefty Lefty Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 5:21 pm
For goodness sake, STOP campaigning and start doing your job. Which is what the Senste Dems did, and this Currently registered Republican thanks them. We need a budget and, unfortunately, a tax increase. Every day without that makes the hole deeper. Stop digging. Bill Brady and Tim Butler- don’t robocall me because I will just hang up.
Comment by Thoughts Matter Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 6:48 pm
This is either a very naive idea ( for which I will gladly take a beating on), or someone much better versed in taxes has already contemplated. Since 50-60% of my property tax bill goes to fund local education because the State has failed to fulfill its duty, give me a 50-60% ability to claim property taxes paid on my state income tax. It would be a start. The piddling amount I get to write off each year is ridiculous. I don’t have a mortgage, and even when I did, I was only eligible for 2 of the 17 years I was paying it to be able to itemize.
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 7:36 pm
The Senate President filed amendments today to SBs 478 and 482 re two-year property tax freeze proposals.
Comment by GA Watcher Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 8:27 pm
All the Dems have to do is explain that they just couldnt wait for Rauner anymore. The state is/was sinking and someone had to step up and the Dems put the ball in Rauners court. Now lets see if he wants to get the deal done.
Comment by Generic Drone Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 9:10 pm
WhoTF is Caroline?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 24, 17 @ 11:19 pm
Your calling the house over a bill one of your own is sponsoring Mr.Roboto
Comment by Rabid Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 7:50 am