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* UPDATED x1 * Time to get specific, JB

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* Today…

.@JBPritzker joins with educators to talk about how @BruceRauner hurt public education. #twill #ILGov pic.twitter.com/ne26kFlScj

— Jordan Abudayyeh (@JordanAbudayyeh) April 3, 2018

Pritzker continuing his #RaunerFailedMe series at the Harold Washington Library with three teachers who say cuts have severely damaged their schools. pic.twitter.com/2tQBrNrhCh

— Tina Sfondeles (@TinaSfon) April 3, 2018

“When I’m governor - universal preschool” as @JBPritzker promotes graduated income tax to help pay for state education costs #ILGov pic.twitter.com/Ba0zkPyfrf

— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) April 3, 2018

* Earlier today from Will Allison at Gov. Rauner’s campaign…

Hi, everyone.

Today, JB Pritzker is holding a press conference in a weak attempt to criticize Governor Rauner’s strong record on education. Please see the quote below from me as a spokesman for the Governor’s campaign:

“Governor Rauner was proud to sign historic education reform into law that increased K-12 funding by $1.2 billion, achieved parity for charter schools, and created the state’s first ever tuition tax credit scholarship program to give low-income families educational choice.” -William Allison, Rauner campaign communications director

Additionally, JB Pritzker has proposed new spending plans but without any specifics. And he has repeatedly called for a new graduated income tax, again without any details on rates or thresholds.

When is JB Pritzker going to be honest with Illinoisans about how much he wants to raise their taxes?

I agree that Pritzker has to stop being so vague about his tax rates. The graduated tax is the absolute centerpoint of his entire campaign. So far, though, we don’t know anything about what it would look like.

*** UPDATE *** Rauner campaign…

During a press conference today, JB Pritzker was asked four (4!) times about specific rates or income brackets for his fabled progressive income tax. As he has done over and over again, Pritzker failed to provide any specifics on his “detailed plans.”

* Video…

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:44 pm

Comments

They have just over a month to get the graduated income tax on the ballot. Either specifics come out really soon or they are punting to 2020.

Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:47 pm
I wish Democrats would spend half of much time talking about growing the tax base as they do about raising taxes.

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:48 pm
He needs to get it out because we will have to vote on it. I think he needs to include some ptax relief to get it through. We know no one including him like the ptax.

Comment by Not a Billionaire Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:49 pm
Meh, it’s April (or so the calendar says; more like February 3.0).

I’m guessing at the opportune time there will be a rate chart showing the vast majority of filers paying a lower rate than the current one.

Not hard to do. Those cool governors in Missouri and Wisconsin that Rauner has man-crushes on can do it.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:54 pm
100 Billion of 400 billion n AGI above 250 k a year. Its a big base.

Comment by Not a Billionaire Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:54 pm
===Meh, it’s April===

He’s been running for more than a year.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:55 pm
Time to get specific? Still waiting on Rauner’s plan to increase education funding and roll back the tax increase. He’s been promising that one since 2013. The more brazen the Rauner admin gets, the more accustomed to it we get. And now we have a guy who has skipped 3 years of pension payments and went 2 years without a budget somehow claiming the high ground because JB won’t propose specific tax brackets that will be subject to negotiation anyway, and which Rauner will just hang around him the moment he goes on record about them. Bottom line is JB at least has positions that could be consistent with an increase in education funding, even if the framework isn’t as detailed as one would want. Rauner’s positions on revenue and program funding are blatantly inconsistent with arithmetic. Criticizing JB for lack of specifics here draws false equivalency between JB and Rauner.

Comment by Nutshell Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:55 pm
Well, universal preschool would help grow the tax base. It’s investment in human capital. Probably one of the absolute best things a government can do these days, though it’s all in the details.

I wouldn’t be shocked if JB never released his rates. I mean, he should. But, practically, when has lack of details hurt a candidate for Governor? Rauner ran his entire 2014 campaign promising he’d release a fiscal plan for how his tax cuts wouldn’t bust the state budget - “it’s coming soon” - and “soon” was dragged out to after November (and then never).

Bash Biss all you like for trying to do something, perhaps too much, but the Democratic primary reminded us, IL voters aren’t exactly hungry for candidates who remind us that policies have tradeoffs.

Comment by ZC Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:56 pm
- Just Me @ 12:48 pm
I kind of feel the same way….
I wish Republicans would spend half of much time talking about growing the tax base as they do talking about Democrats raising taxes

Comment by We'll See Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:56 pm
Rauner went all over the state, showing facilities Quinn closed, saying when he is governor he would reopen them, without any sort of fiscal blueprint or plan.

JB is going to do the same thing. And I guess when Barickman runs in 2022 he will do the same exact thing against JB since JB will have a record then.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:57 pm
===Criticizing JB for lack of specifics here draws false equivalency between JB and Rauner===

Another victim heard from.

I’ve criticized the governor quite often for his fantasy budgets and his goofy fiscal rhetoric.

If you can’t take your boy getting dinged about the lack of specifics on his campaign’s focal point, then you might wanna leave the state for the next several months. That, or stop reading this blog.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:58 pm
===Today, JB Pritzker is holding a press conference in a weak attempt to criticize Governor Rauner’s strong record on education.===

Bruce Rauner has yet to full fund an entire fiscal year for Higher Education.

Ask JUCOs how Rauner has deviasted their role and their missions as governor as it pertains to funding.

Illinois is an export state, a state sending more students to other states for higher education than every state… but New Jersey.

The UIUC has stated the challenges of 27 months of how Rauner decided to refuse funding to higher education..,

… and Rauner is a champion on funding education?

Give. Me. A. Break.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:58 pm
Word- May 10th is the deadline to have graduated income tax bill pasted in both houses to get on the ballot in November.
The Governor does not have to sign it.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:59 pm
Could easily tie this to 2020. T’s up for re-election (if he makes it that long), there will be (should be) bukoo data on the Federal tax rate changes and the impending 2025 implosion for non-corporate tax payers. A progressive tax program may look pretty good in those circumstances, and be a much easier sell.

Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 12:59 pm
What I am afraid of is emmulating Wisconsin and Missouri in terms of a progressive rate. Missouri’s a joke. WI kicks the middle class in the pants. This thing needs to start at $500k/yr and escalate. IMO.

Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 1:13 pm
JB’s campaifb should feature a moving truck.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 1:14 pm
Meh trying to get Democrats to walk away from Pritzker because he won’t name specifics isn’t the path to victory.
Saying taxes, taxes, taxes isn’t the cure either.
He lost his base without the Proft and Jeanne folks coming on board he can’t even come close.

Comment by DuPage Bard Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 1:14 pm
===Meh, it’s April===

He’s been running for more than a year.–

Understood, but the election is in November, and I suspect they’ll put out some numbers at a time to maximize the impact on targeted voters.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 1:23 pm
I think he should avoid specifics…too dangerous politically. I’d stick with generalities like “a system were the income tax paid by a majority of Illinois residents either goes down or stays the same.”

Comment by Roman Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 1:28 pm
I believe a graduated tax is the right way to get this state’s financial house in order if it’s ever going to be done. I also believe discussing rates is “putting the horse before the cart”. There needs to be a true bipartisan agreement on a) the amount of revenue to operate the government adequately b) the additional amount needed to make the required pension payments c) the additional amount needed to where the state is paying the “preponderance” of the cost of public education (with a corresponding reduction of real estate taxes going to education). Only when these amounts are agreed upon should tax rates be studied and proposed. Also, as a state retiree, I don’t have a problem paying state income tax under a graduated system. Income is income is income.

Comment by illinoyed Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 1:35 pm
It’s almost like he had to pick an issue to position himself to the left in the primary in order to establish his progressive bonafides against Biss, and to a lesser extent Kennedy, without actually committing a plan to get it done. That’s never been done before. /s

Comment by Stark Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 1:38 pm
When Pritzker decides to give the breakout of that graduated income tax, he and that Crew will first get dinged as a “taxer”, then dinged again for “where the revenue will go” (tax and spender), and finally they will get it from “overcompensating” and the damage any tax increase causes to “taxpayers” and the clash between the wealthy and those not as wealthy and who gets the better end.

When it gets rolled out… better be quite ready for th aftershocks, real AND imagined.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 1:40 pm
Giving specifics is just giving Rauner air.
Don’t do it.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 1:48 pm
Short of wanting a ballot initiative for this year or wanting to be transparent with the voters, there is no reason to give specifics.

Rauner is a dead man walking and to win all he has to do is keep reminding people why they don’t like Rauner. He probably doesn’t even have to do that, but should.

Comment by AndyIllini Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 1:54 pm
Betcha the details won’t include taxing retirement income, but Rauner can run with that as a way to lower the tax rate…In fact, I’d love him to do that.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 1:56 pm
===In fact, I’d love him to do that. ===

Only if you want to see him lose.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 1:57 pm
when JB releases his income tax brackets and people making 50k-200k will have their income tax rate double tripled quadrupled. It will be fun to watch. Can’t be vague forever big boy.

Comment by Iggy Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:01 pm
==They have just over a month to get the graduated income tax on the ballot.==

Yeah, but we already have a road map, so there’s just no excuse:

Eight states have a flat income tax rate:
Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Utah.

50-8=42

How long could it possibly take to examine the graduated income tax structure of those 42 states, pick the best, use it or improve it?

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:05 pm
===when JB releases his income tax brackets and people making 50k-200k will have their income tax rate double tripled quadrupled===

lol

This is why, your giddy lil comment, Pritzker will be measured how he rolls this out, and what it really means to all of Illinois and the voters.

You comment only makes sense if there wasn’t a backlog that Rauner blew up since becoming governor, and the pension payments being made… all done without taxes being raised.

Then you have to identify deep cuts in narrow places cuts can be found.

If this was easy, it would’ve been done already.

But, by all means, count the “tripled” taxes not yet rolled out yet… and how it hasn’t been presented yet too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:07 pm
==Understood, but the election is in November, and I suspect they’ll put out some numbers at a time to maximize the impact on targeted voters.==

It’s really subjective to guess how long it takes to convince enough people that raising their income taxes is super good news for them. So, it may be getting a little late to pull that one off. But, these are crazy times.

2% raised caused the world to spin the other way. If graduated rates creep toward or over 9%, kiss the entire collar counties good bye as well as NW and SW Cook. That still may not be enough to elect our multi-polar nominee.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:10 pm
==This thing needs to start at $500k/yr and escalate. IMO.==

Not gonna happen. The meaty part of the tax brackets starts at $75,000. Only 30% of tax filers make above $75K but they comprise 75% of the total revenue. Easy pickins for politicians. I don’t think anyone above $75K doesn’t end up paying more.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:12 pm
==How long could it possibly take to examine the graduated income tax structure of those 42 states, pick the best, use it or improve it?==

Arizona.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:14 pm
==Today, JB Pritzker is holding a press conference in a weak attempt to criticize Governor Rauner’s strong record on education.==

JB: weak
Guv: strong

Thanks Will, but we already know that the Guv is strong. I mean JB could never pull off the biker boy look. (Well, maybe if he had a twin).

Comment by Henry Francis Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:14 pm
JB feels he doesn’t have to release his ideal state income tax rates. Why ? There’s been no resolution in each chamber calling for a change in the state constitution. If Madigan doesn’t do something by the first week in May: JB doesn’t have to say much. I’m not say that’s right or honest with the voters. I’m just saying that the reality of Illinois politics. The timing is important. If nothing is done next month: the earliest rates could change is 2021.

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:23 pm
So either they have a lot of faith they can do this without a state constitutional change (ask the term limit and redistricting folks how that worked out) or they are going to punt on the revenue to 2021….

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:23 pm
JB is a phony. Progressive tax is probably not going to happen. If it does, it wouldn’t be effective until 2021 at the earliest.

Comment by Trump2020 Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:23 pm
Rauner can’t “just” rely on attacking JB’s graduated tax plan - as others have said, it will look like no-big-deal to most voters. He has to paint the entire Dem party as laying in wait to explode taxes, citing the Chicago and Cook County taxes as canaries in the coal mine, and that he’s the only one standing in the way.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:24 pm
JB is finally starting to get pressed on vague proposals? He might want to ask Kennedy’s leftovers for some help. They were always more substantive on the issues.

Comment by Rotundra Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:25 pm
==Rauner can’t “just” rely on attacking JB’s graduated tax plan - as others have said, it will look like no-big-deal to most voters.==

Wanna bet?

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:49 pm
Anon 221 makes a very important point. The new federal income tax tables could revert back to higher rates in 2025. Will Illinois politicians want to go to a progressive income tax with that lurking in the background??? The history of progressive incomes taxes is: higher rates on everyone over time. Just a reminder…..

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:11 pm
To the Update…

For the love of Pete… prep the man better for questions ya know are coming. Dodge, evade, whatever, but this is a bit ridiculous that *this* is the best Pritzker can look evading the questions we all know are coming?

Do better, please.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:14 pm
If legal pot gives the state 750 Million a year I will be shocked.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:15 pm
Rauner trying to hold somebody accountable is ridiculous. JB doesn’t have to answer this.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:16 pm
Rauner is a desperate man. A desperate man that needs so bad to shift the focus to JB. If Pritzker says lets tax millionaires at 9% then Rauner will say he wants to tax everyone at 9%.

Comment by Real Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:25 pm
== JB doesn’t have to answer this.==

Certainly appears that he agrees with you.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:25 pm
“Shake up Springfield” was a real detailed strategy too.

Comment by SameolG Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:29 pm
@TinyDancer(FKASue)

You should actually check some of the progressive rates in other states. For example in Missouri the highest tax bracket is for income over $9,072.

Comment by My thoughts Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:33 pm
To the update:

Focus Amanda. Focus. Focus Amanda. Focus.

Comment by Henry Francis Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:34 pm
All you calling for OTHERS to throw more money into the state coffers via a progressive tax have no clue what a subchapter S Corp is. His progressive tax for MORE money to education of which we pay through the highest property taxes in the nation will KILL small business. BTW, let’s call preK education what it really is….tax-supported day care

Comment by Overtaxed out west Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:55 pm
==BTW, let’s call preK education what it really is….tax-supported day care==

Not if it’s staffed with experienced well-trained teachers who have advanced degrees in early childhood education….you get what you pay for.
And if you think highly qualified experienced well-trained teachers are too expensive - well, you can pay me now or you can pay me later.

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 4:15 pm
==They were always more substantive on the issues.==

Taking every position on an issue isn’t more substantive.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 4:18 pm
Maybe JB can explain how his plan to raise taxes on successful businesses in Illinois large and small, with no pro business reforms will lead to the growth he says is essential to fixing Illinois worst in the nation budget deficit.

He has zero plans for pension reform or cutting any state spending. Wake up people, it does not add up

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 4:19 pm
i have no problem with JB avoiding specifics on this or anything else throughout the camapaign. I view it like campaign finance rules - you can play within the system to win and try to change it, or you can play “fair” and lose. No reason for JB to play “fair” here and release specifics when there’s a pathological liar on the other side who’s never offered a specific about anything. Play under the rules in effect, change them when/if you can.

As for the Constitutional amendment, it’s always been a 2021 strategy. It takes 71/36, which means it needs at least 4 Republican votes in the House, and likely more than that. Ain’t gonna happen this year. Might in 2019/20

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 4:24 pm
===Maybe JB can explain how his plan to raise taxes on successful businesses in Illinois large and small, with no pro business reforms will lead to the growth he says is essential to fixing Illinois worst in the nation budget deficit.===

1871

Next question.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 4:27 pm
==All you calling for OTHERS to throw more money into the state coffers via a progressive tax have no clue what a subchapter S Corp is==

What if they do have a clue but don’t care?

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 4:27 pm
1871 has been paying higher taxes?

Maybe JB can explain how businesses paying more in taxes, which will result inevitably in lower retained earnings, will magically expand in Illinois and not other states. This will lead to economic decline, not growth. Econ 101.

Maybe JB can get another billionaire or businessman to explain the economics on this.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 5:45 pm
===Econ 101===

The absolute scourge of America.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 8:19 pm
===Maybe JB can explain how businesses paying more in taxes, which will result inevitably in lower retained earnings, will magically expand in Illinois and not other states. This will lead to economic decline, not growth.===

… or explain how 1871 continued to thrive and survive in spite of a failed governor who refuses to sign state budgets, runs up massive billion dollars of debt, and created actual jobs, something Rauner never proved… Rauner creating an actual job.

Like I said… 1871.

Next question.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 8:23 pm
===He has zero plans for pension reform or cutting any state spending.===

Aw.

Since Rauner hasn’t signed a single budget, one full fiscal year budget, that’s Rauner’s whole first 3 years in a nutshell, LOL

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 8:31 pm
Of course he won’t tell us what the rates will be. They will be outrageous and increase on the vast majority of income tax payers.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 9:11 pm
==…or explain how 1871 continued to thrive and survive==

1/3 of revenue from donations, a $2.5M grant from the State of Illinois, and $6M in deferred rent. Guessing most businesses don’t run on the same formula.

I get what you’re saying, but 1871 is a 501(c)3. Without donations, it would burn through its cash reserves in 2 years, Rauner or no Rauner.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 9:33 pm
===1/3 of revenue from donations, a $2.5M grant from the State of Illinois, and $6M in deferred rent. Guessing most businesses don’t run on the same formula.===

… and still… actual jobs created, businesses growing, and all in spite of Rauner.

===it would burn through its cash reserves in 2 years, Rauner or no Rauner.===

“Speculative”, but as I see that, again, this is a building, not like Rauner buying to destroy and sell off the pieces…

If 1871 is anything, first and foremost it’s a great contrast between Rauner and Pritzker and how they see creating jobs, and how businesses create jobs not force people out of jobs.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 9:40 pm
== And now we have a guy who has skipped 3 years of pension payments ==

Rauner actually made the payments … delayed sometimes, but they did get made

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 11:30 pm
== He has zero plans for pension reform ==

He doesn’t need any. Pension reform already happened in 2011; there are no savings left in that bucket.

All that is left if pension theft … and the courts have said no.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 11:33 pm
Rauner managed to get elected with vague promises primarily because of the “not Quinn” voters.

JB can win with vague promises and the “not Rauner” votes.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 11:36 pm
–It’s really subjective to guess how long it takes to convince enough people that raising their income taxes is super good news for them.–

It’s strange to think that the rates would go up for the majority of filers under a graduated income tax plan.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 8:02 am
–Pension reform already happened in 2011; there are no savings left in that bucket.

All that is left if pension theft … and the courts have said no.–

News is slow to reach the Island of Misfit Bots.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 8:04 am
–That still may not be enough to elect our multi-polar nominee.–

What does multi-polar mean?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 8:20 am
There’s one pension “theft” left but with a huge cost (at least according to the 9th Circuit): you can let the non-state government entities with too much debt go bankrupt - the “supremacy clause” of the US Constitution places the federal bankruptcy law above the state constitution’s protection.

All money is fungible, so the state contributions to the other entities can be applied to the state’s non-dischargeable pensions.

Not advocating this - (though I might be persuaded for CPS), and the negative impacts would be immense, but it’s a potential option.

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 8:47 am
==It’s strange to think that the rates would go up for the majority of filers under a graduated income tax plan.==

Nearly 50% of filers make under $40K but only account for only 10% of the state income tax revenue collected and don’t pay much after tax credits and such. A graduated plan won’t affect the majority of tax filers for the simple fact the majority don’t move the needle much.

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 8:53 am
–A graduated plan won’t affect the majority of tax filers for the simple fact the majority don’t move the needle much.–

LOL, curious then the opposition to it, don’t you think?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 9:09 am
==It’s strange to think that the rates would go up for the majority of filers under a graduated income tax plan.==

Very true…statewide. But in the collars and huge chunks of suburban Cook; that’s where filers will be who are on the other side of the equation.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 9:18 am
==LOL, curious then the opposition to it, don’t you think?==

Because the guy making $41,000/yr doesn’t realize he’s in the minority.

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 9:27 am

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