Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Sen. Murphy endorses Silverstein challenger
Next Post: Biss wants more tax return details
Posted in:
* Greg Hinz interviewed JB Pritzker yesterday…
Illinois may need another tax hike to balance the books and pay for needed public investments, even if the progressive income tax eventually comes about. […]
“If you want to add revenue, the first focus is on accelerating growth and not raising taxes,” he said. […]
However, even if waste is cut, some new money will be needed to pay bills and meet tomorrow’s needs, Pritzker said.
Some will come from amending the Illinois Constitution to allow a progressive income tax, something that would require a referendum vote, likely in 2020. Pritzker said he could not estimate how much that would pull in, but he projected the state would net another $300 million to $700 million by legalizing and taxing marijuana.
Would that be enough to meet all the needs while growth accelerates?
“No. But it depends on how you prioritize,” Pritzker replied.
Would boosted income from a progressive income tax suffice?
“I don’t know,” he replied. “I haven’t proposed a budget. . . .(But) it’s clear that we are underfunding schools.”
Pritzker later suggested that some spending cuts would be on the table, but did not get specific.
* The Republican Governors Association pounced…
Illinois Democrat gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker openly admitted in an editorial board interview with Crain’s Chicago Business yesterday that he would seek massive tax hikes if elected Governor – even more than previously disclosed by his campaign.
Pritzker’s openness about raising taxes if elected poses challenges for his nascent campaign, since Illinois voters already face some of the highest tax burdens in the nation. Pritzker’s position in favor of tax increases is in stark contrast to that of Governor Bruce Rauner, who has consistently advocated for structural reforms and lower taxes as the solution to Illinois’ fiscal challenges.
This is not the first time Pritzker has detailed his openness to tax hikes. He began his campaign amidst audio recordings documenting that he favored a large increase in the state income tax, and has opposed a property tax freeze.
Pritzker has also come under fire for not paying his fair share of taxes on his second gold-coast Chicago mansion, getting hundreds of thousands of dollars in politically connected tax breaks. Now, he’s running on raising taxes for others.
* Greg updated his piece with this statement from the Pritzker campaign…
“J.B. does not believe we should raise taxes on middle class families, period. As J.B. has said since he entered the race, passing a progressive income tax will be his top priority as governor and he is committed to finding budget solutions, like legalizing and taxing marijuana, to help address the damage Bruce Rauner has done.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** ILGOP…
“Illinois may need another tax hike to balance the books and pay for needed public investments, even if the progressive income tax eventually comes about.
“That was the fiscal bottom line from Democratic gubernatorial hopeful J.B. Pritzker today as the Chicago entrepreneur and investor, who’s moved ahead in some recent polls, met with Crain’s Editorial Board for a wide-ranging interview.”
That is how Greg Hinz’s Monday column on J.B. Pritzker column begins. Pritzker continues to mirror his patron Mike Madigan when it comes to taxes, promoting even higher taxes despite Madigan’s 32% tax hike on Illinois families earlier this year.
Madigan muscled through the increase this summer, and if he has his way, will continue to raise taxes.
This comes as no surprise, as Madigan has stated a tax increase to 5% is a “good place to begin.”
This all while Pritzker continues to dodge releasing his own tax returns. It has been 221 days since Pritzker pledged to release his taxes, but he continues to hide behind empty promises of ’soon.’
When it comes to raising taxes, Pritzker is lock step with Madigan: more taxes, no reform.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Rauner campaign…
Yesterday, JB Pritzker stated his support for yet another tax increase on working families all across Illinois. This would mean even more tax hikes after Pritzker’s ally, Speaker Mike Madigan, rammed through a 32% tax hike earlier this year. Governor Bruce Rauner knows that more tax hikes will only force more jobs to leave the state. That’s why he’s fighting to reform Madigan’s corrupt system in Springfield.
From Greg Hinz’s Monday column: “Illinois may need another tax hike to balance the books and pay for needed public investments, even if the progressive income tax eventually comes about. That was the fiscal bottom line from Democratic gubernatorial hopeful J.B. Pritzker today as the Chicago entrepreneur and investor, who’s moved ahead in some recent polls, met with Crain’s Editorial Board for a wide-ranging interview.”
Following Pritzker’s comments, Rauner spokesman Justin Giorgio issued the following statement:
“The contrast is clear in Illinois. Governor Rauner is fighting for every single Illinoisian by working to fix a broken and corrupt system. He wants everyone to be able to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks. But JB Pritzker doesn’t want to do the difficult work of making real reforms. JB Pritzker just wants to raise taxes to avoid showing any leadership and staying in the good graces of Mike Madigan.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Pritzker campaign…
“The idea that Bruce Rauner is fighting for every Illinoisan is as laughable as his team’s spelling and tired talking points. Bruce Rauner decimated schools, social services, and working families across this state and refuses to take a stand on Donald Trump’s tax plan that will raise taxes on many middle-class families. The truth is, the best thing Rauner can do for every Illinoisan is hop back on his motorcycle and ride off before destroying anything else in this state.”
*** UPDATE 4 *** ILGOP…
So J.B. Pritzker does not deny his plan to raise income taxes on every Illinoisan. Our suspicions have been confirmed. Illinois, hold onto your wallets. Pritzker and Madigan are coming.
Um, didn’t he say he didn’t want to raise taxes on the middle class at all?
*** UPDATE 5 *** Pritzker campaign…
A. Please refer to previous statement: “J.B. does not believe we should raise taxes on middle class families, period.”
B. Does Rauner support Donald Trump’s destructive tax plan? Yes or no?
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 9:40 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Sen. Murphy endorses Silverstein challenger
Next Post: Biss wants more tax return details
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
The Republican Governors Association can warble all they want about JB raising taxes. But nothing will be able to save Rauner from himself. Rauner has proven this time and time again.
Comment by Colin O'Scopey Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 9:42 am
Illinois is going to need additional revenues, and significant revenues at that. I doubt all that revenue can be raised simply by taxing the 1%. The only way to get there is to implement a progressive income tax structure, and how the tiers are decided will be interesting. But middle income households shouldn’t be fooled that they won’t be included.
As for cutting spending, good luck on that front. We already get minimal services for the revenue provided. Illinois is the laughingstock of tge nation for a reason.
Comment by SSL Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 9:57 am
Nothin’ will Save GovJunk from the hit that will come to IL in Trump gets a tax bill
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:00 am
===…passing a progressive income tax will be his top priority as governor…===
This is lazy and simple to appease or to plug a whole in the argument.
Why?
The Pritzker Crew should explain the steps to make a progressive income tax a reality.
To the thoughts,
Rauner knew revenue was required of any budget that were to pass.
This is important to understand as it puts in clear perspective Rauner’s failings.
Knowing revenue is/was 100% required, and then holding that as a “give” to cripple labor’s prevailing wage and collective bargaining was Rauner being phony to budgetary realities for a Raunerite agenda.
How Pritzker works this?
Fiscal responsibility with increased revenue and a budgetary blueprint showing the return on the investments of tax monies is the challenge.
Pritzker’s $35 million and counting needs to come to grips that if they want a tax and budget discussion pointing to Rauner failings and holding Rauner accountable… will open questioning like this… and if you open the door, you need to be able to walk through.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:00 am
JB, Madigan and the rest of the Democrats agree on one thing.
There is no limit to how high they can raise taxes on middle class families and small businesses. And successful startups should pay an additional tax for the privilege of doing business in the state of Illinois
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170608/OPINION/170609892/want-to-kill-startups-in-illinois-pass-this-privilege-tax
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:04 am
- Lucky Pierre -
If the Trump tax bill passes, with states like California, New York, New Jersey… and Illinois residents losing deductions and in cases the overall tax measurably higher…
… that 2018 election could mean serious trouble…
Ask Peter Roskam.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:06 am
Was a specific number proposed for the increase or did they just decide that it was a “massive increase”
Comment by Anonish Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:09 am
Don’t child labor laws prohibit ILGOP from hiring middle-schoolers to writer their press hits? “Neener-neener-Madigan.”
Comment by Ray del Camino Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:13 am
==There is no limit to how high they can raise taxes on middle class families and small businesses.==
I dunno, Rauner’s the one who praised the federal tax bill, which will do just that.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:14 am
Maybe I’m a bit simple, but I believe the last governor’s election was won and lost specifically on the raising taxes argument. The politician who can lie the best about not raising taxes in Illinois has a big advantage at the polls. Rauner is horrible, but people will vote for the guy saying he will lower their taxes.
Comment by Anon1234 Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:16 am
JB needs to learn that there’s no nuance allowed in a campaign against the Rauner grift machine.
Their tax increases take the form of pre-meditated deadbeatism and running up billions in unpaid operations bills by a factor of four.
They hilariously call that “fiscal conservatism.” Don’t pay your utility bills? Run Illinois vendors out of business and throw people out of work due to non-payment? Favor government bankruptcy? You too are a “fiscal conservative.”
JB needs to develop a rote response: “I favor a progressive income tax that will cut taxes for the middle class and make rich guys like me and Rauner pay our fair share.”
Not that hard.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:20 am
==Maybe I’m a bit simple, but I believe the last governor’s election was won and lost specifically on the raising taxes argument.==
It was won and lost on “Pat Quinn has failed”. Note how few other politicians involved in the tax increase paid a price for it. Some have even been promoted!
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:20 am
Or if the Trump bill passes that doubles the standard deduction to $24K and caps property tax deductions at $10K, additional pressure would be put on local governments by their wealthy residents in states that follow the “blue model” to lower the local tax burden
It sounds to me like the Trump plan hurts the wealthy in blue states the most, because they are able to write off a lot of their local taxes.
As if blue state local governments needed any additional pressure on their budgets.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:23 am
Not that hard to say you favor a progressive income tax as lip service.
Incredibly hard to pass through the General Assembly as Democrats could not even propose one during the years where they had a supermajority and the Governor’s office because they did not have the votes.
Voters are not that gullible and the progressive or Millionaires tax is not a panacea by any means.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:26 am
If a progressive income tax is going to be considered they should also consider taxing retirement income. Doesn’t have to be at the same rate but there is no reason they should be completely excluded from paying any taxes. Expanding the tax base would help spread the pain of yet higher taxes.
Comment by Maximus Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:35 am
HF raises a very good point for the ILGOP. What about the pro-abortion Rauner money that pays your salaries and for all your activities?
Same goes for all the GOP candidates and committees that take pro-abortion Rauner’s millions.
Is there no principle at stake in that equation? Comes and goes?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:36 am
==as Democrats could not even propose one during the years where they had a supermajority and the Governor’s office==
Saving this one for the next time you bleat on about how Pritzker is proposing the “same old policies”.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:37 am
===the progressive or Millionaires tax is not a panacea by any means.===
No one is saying it is a panacea. But that is the problem with the far left and far right. They want it all, they won’t accept “better” in lieu of “perfect.”
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:40 am
…Their tax increases take the form of pre-meditated deadbeatism and running up billions in unpaid operations bills by a factor of four.
They hilariously call that “fiscal conservatism.” Don’t pay your utility bills? Run Illinois vendors out of business and throw people out of work due to non-payment? Favor government bankruptcy? You too are a “fiscal conservative.”…
Slinger nails it. All the democrat candidates need to say this whenever the issue of the “32%” increase is raised.
Raunerites can never refute this sad fact that Rauner has cost the taxpayer way more than the extra 1.2 cents of income tax I pay on each hundred I make.
Comment by don the legend Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:41 am
“JB Pritzker just wants to raise taxes to avoid showing any leadership and staying in the good graces of Mike Madigan.”
Is that really the line you want on Pritzker and taxes. JB wouldn’t be for taxes but Mike Madigan is making him? Seems like pretty thin gruel.
Comment by Anon0091 Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:49 am
LP, do you actually read or just spitball? Just asking because you typed above that Pritzker and Madigan agree on taxes. You then posted a story suggesting Pritzker supports a tax he actually opposes according to the article that’s at the top of this thread.
Comment by Anon0091 Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 10:54 am
JB as a billionaire has clearly taken extraordinary measures to avoid paying his fair share of taxes both Federally though off shore trusts and locally through removing toilets in a spare mansion.
He has not detailed a strategy to get a progressive income tax passed and sloughs it off as a done deal.
“Illinois may need another tax hike to balance the books and pay for needed public investments, even if the progressive income tax eventually comes about.”
Spending cuts may be needed but he offers no specifics.
Also, no opinion on Senator Cullerton’s pension bill that passed the Senate with bipartisan votes.
I guess he just wants us to trust him that he won’t raise taxes on middle class families even though additional taxes are needed and he has no strategy to pass the progressive income tax or identify any cuts.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 11:16 am
And this comes from the guy who scammed Cook County on his real estate taxes shifting costs on to poor people. Pritzker is a total for pig but he will fit in if elected
Comment by Sue Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 11:18 am
===Spending cuts may be needed but he offers no specifics.===
For the Love of PETE…
Rauner had his agency heads and budget guru openly testify that they themselves offered no cuts to this budget… that Rauner vetoed.
You are so grossly disingenuous.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 11:26 am
==Spending cuts may be needed but he offers no specifics.
Also, no opinion on Senator Cullerton’s pension bill that passed the Senate with bipartisan votes.==
And we get to the real heart of your problem- you all mad that JB won’t say stuff that’ll cost him votes.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 11:33 am
Total dodge from pritzker campaign. They definitely want to raise your taxes.
Comment by John Rawlssss Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 11:38 am
Don the Legend, you may want to check your math. You don’t pay 1.2 cents extra on that $100 more you earn, you pay $1.20 more.
But, let’s show it this way. If you make $75,000 a year the government takes $900 more from your pocket that you can’t use to spur the economy.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 11:50 am
lucky pierre, are you getting ready for a pritzker administration? it will be a lot brighter than the flip floppin mess we have with the guy we don’t see anymore down here
Comment by downstater Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 11:54 am
Several points …
First, JB is being honest about the need for additional revenue. That, by itself, is rare in any politician.
And JB has a great response if he wants to use it: Illinois wouldn’t need to raise taxes again except for Deadbeat Bruce who couldn’t cut waste and didn’t pay the State’s bills on time. Short, sweet, to the point and under 140 characters.
Finally, tax avoidance through all the provided loopholes is legal. It may not be nice and may slightly increase The income tax burden on the rest of us, but that is how the game is played. And, on the other side, we already know JB donated a LOT of money to the charitable causes he believes in.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 11:59 am
==it will be a lot brighter than the flip floppin mess==
Don’t hold your breath.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 12:25 pm
== If you make $75,000 a year the government takes $900 more from your pocket that you can’t use to spur the economy.==
Or invest in your retirement or children’s education.
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 12:30 pm
He seems, for one, to be running a general election campaign one year ahead of time. This would be pretty detrimental if he were to be elected as the nominee. The GOP is already lumping him in with madigan as if he were anointed months ago. The TV ads won’t do anything if the Rauner tactic in ‘14 of appointing the democratic candidate as part of the establishment proves success again.
Comment by Max Bayer Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 12:43 pm
===The TV ads won’t do anything if the Rauner tactic in ‘14 of appointing the democratic candidate as part of the establishment proves success again.===
Rauner is now the establishment.
Rauner is the incumbent governor… and like Pat Quinn… Rauner failed.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 12:46 pm
== Rauner had his agency heads and budget guru openly testify that they themselves offered no cuts to this budget… that Rauner vetoed. ==
In other words…What about Rauner!?!
Got it.
Comment by ILreader Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 12:50 pm
=== == Rauner had his agency heads and budget guru openly testify that they themselves offered no cuts to this budget… that Rauner vetoed. ==
In other words…What about Rauner!?!
Got it.===
LOL
Given Rauner is currently the governor of Illinois, and this is what happened triggering events, it’s not “what about” it’s “what actually happened”
Keep up
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 12:53 pm
===but that is how the game is played.===
Sure it’s technically legal. Do the voters forgive Pritzker, then?No. They hate this nonsense, especially with the obscene amount of taxes they already have to pay.
Comment by People Over Parties Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 12:54 pm
To the back and forth,
That’s the kind of accountability Rauner needs.
No room for wiggles. Go after the incumbent.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 1:07 pm
===Also, no opinion on Senator Cullerton’s pension bill that passed the Senate with bipartisan votes.===
The CapFax version of Godwin’s Law. LP loses.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 1:21 pm
So if the Trump tax plan passes, Illinoisans will vote out Republicans because their taxes went up. But we will vote in Democrats who are already promising to raise our taxes? That makes no sense. But sounds par for the course in IL
Comment by JB13 Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 1:46 pm
Hey RNUG- raising taxes won’t be needed due to anything Rauner did or did not due but because pensions just keep sucking up more revenue. Why not be honest- soon all will be working to fund retiree obligations as the rest of Illinois withers and more people abandon the State
Comment by Sue Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 2:17 pm
Guess we gotta see who runs outta pee first here.
Comment by A guy Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 2:21 pm
Sue,
The pension obligation was there all along. It was being paid under Quinn AND the backlog was being whittled away. Rauner trashed all that by calling for the income tax increase to expire as scheduled, and by not using his executive powers to cut spending to match revenue. He owns about $10B of the current bill backlog, which we just had to bond out to try to muddle through the budget the next few years. If Rauner hadn’t (banned word) it up, that money would have been freed up in the budget by now.
Yes, the State wasn’t in good shape before Rauner took over, but he took it from treading water to being underwater wearing cement overshoes.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 3:00 pm
fighting for every single Illinoian, madigan is an Illinoian, who are you fightin
Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 3:01 pm
Anonymous at 11:50. I stand corrected.
I cannot comment further as my math skills have rendered my opinion severely damaged. lol
Comment by don the legend Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 3:15 pm
Sue - Your retirement will be diminished and impaired.
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 3:48 pm
CZ, pick a lane.
retirees don’t pay state income tax, as you know,
Sue’s retirement would be diminished and impaired by your proposal to tax retirement income.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 3:52 pm
Word, Passing lane, but only while passing.
So diminish it twice? That’s cruel, man.
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 4:25 pm
===And this comes from the guy who scammed Cook County on his real estate taxes shifting costs onto poor people.===
Not really. A vacant building is still vacant, toilets or no toilets. How many trips to the library do inhabitant of vacant buildings take? How many kids do they send to school. Zero. Nobody lives there to use services.
Comment by Radio Flyer Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 4:36 pm