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* This from a state Republican Party whose governor says he would be fine with a 4.99 percent income tax rate and a new tax on services…
Before even announcing his campaign for governor, J.B. Pritzker followed Mike Madigan’s lead and proposed raising the income tax to over 5 percent without any reforms to fix Illinois.
At the City Club in 2015, Mike Madigan said that raising the income tax back to 5 percent with no reforms was “a good place to begin.”
Now, as J.B. Pritzker prepares to plunge into the Democratic primary, he’s made clear he supports Madigan’s tax hike plan.
Behind closed doors, Pritzker told Chicago machine insiders that he supports raising the income tax to over 5 percent.
At a meeting with Democratic activists just three weeks ago, Pritzker told party insiders the following:
“Let’s remind everybody, the tax used to be 5 percent, and he let it lapse down to three and three quarters percent. And that’s what started a lot of the problems that we’ve got in the state. So, if you just put it back that’s $5 billion dollars. That doesn’t get you everything you need, but it’s a good way toward, you know, toward getting real revenue in the state.”
“Like a true machine politician, J.B. Pritzker mirrored the Madigan tax hike plan behind closed doors, before even announcing his campaign. It’s clear that Pritzker’s loyalty belongs to Mike Madigan and his plan for Illinois is higher taxes with no real reform.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe
Also, the doors weren’t closed. The media was inside the event.
But, hey. Politics!
…Adding… I thought they were referring to the Democratic committeeman’s event, but Yaffe says the recording was made during “a meet and greet put on by a state legislator from Chicago.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** The ILGOP has a new press release and a digital ad…
“Political insider J.B. Pritzker is the financial muscle behind Mike Madigan’s political machine, funneling over a million dollars to help him in just the last year. And like Madigan, Pritzker wants to hike the income tax to over 5 percent without any fixes to repair Illinois. One can only imagine the devastation Mike Madigan could do with a lapdog billionaire at his side. Pritzker puts the insiders first and the taxpayers last.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Kirsten Kukowski
To welcome Pritzker to the race, the Illinois Republican Party is launching digital ads highlighting the Madigan-Pritzker plan to pass a devastating income tax hike with no reform to fix our broken system.
*** UPDATE 2 *** ILGOP…
Pritzker Caught on Tax Hike Lie
Tells media one thing, insiders anotherAt his campaign announcement, J.B. Pritzker responded to tapes revealing his plan to raise the income tax to at least 5%.
His response to the media? The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Pritzker, “tells reporters state should start with taxing millionaires and billionaires first, not middle class.”
Except, he told Madigan machine insiders the exact opposite – admitting that his tax plan could not realistically be implemented for at least three years.
Pritzker said behind closed doors, “so lets just talk about this flat income tax, because we’re not going to be able to turn it into a millionaire’s tax, a fair tax – it’s gonna take us three years.”
“Pritzker kicked off his campaign by trying to cover up his real tax plan: a massive tax hike on every Illinoisan with no real reforms,” said Illinois Republican Party spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski. “The tape doesn’t lie. If he’s elected, J.B. Pritzker wants to take income taxes over 5 percent as soon as he takes office with no changes to bring down costs or grow jobs.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** From the governor’s campaign…
We’ll be frank – no one on Team Rauner is surprised by the news today.
J.B. Pritzker announced his bid for Governor and now joins a list of Democrats who want to be governor so they can raise your taxes while enacting no changes to control spending, reform government or grow jobs.
In fact, Pritzker has already said he wants to take the income tax to over 5 percent. Higher than it was under Pat Quinn!
We know they will all try to tell a different story. So, we’ve set up a fund to directly combat the anticipated attacks from J.B. Pritzker, Chris Kennedy, and any other candidate as they try to detract from their own questionable plans.
Your contribution today will help us keep Illinois voters informed of the truth.
Here on Team Rauner, we’re working to bring back Illinois and put our state’s families first. And now matter how hard the political machine tries to stop us, we won’t give up.
Contribute today to help us keep up.
We’re glad to have you with us,
Team Rauner
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:10 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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First I’ve heard of him endorsing at least a 5 percent income tax. If press was there, where are the clips of this being Pritzker’s position?
Comment by where was it Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:14 pm
But hey! Your taxes are still going up 67%. But somehow that won’t be pointed out.
(From 3% to 5% down to 3.75% back to at least 5%)
(5-3=2 2/3=67%)
Comment by BIG R. Ph. Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:16 pm
If I’m looking for facts, Steve Yaffe isn’t the person I’d turn to, even for “campaign fibs”, Yaffe is turning out to be a person whose personal credibility means little to himself and Rauner.
To the Post,
Rauner will either sign the Rauner Tax of 4.99% or arguably have no budgetary accomplishments to run against any Democrat, including Pritzker.
So, there’s, that…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:17 pm
Resolved: As Rauners approval rating continues to drop, we will all eventually become Mike Madigan
Comment by ILPundit Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:19 pm
So where is the Republican plan to end this? Isn’t it a tax hike with reforms? So why is this focused on the inevitable tax hike while skipping over the reforms?
Republicans are going to have to own their platform. It’s not “no taxes.” It’s “these reforms mean more than anything else.”
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:23 pm
Anybody wanna take that budget bet yet?
Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:24 pm
Voters don’t want a tax hike if there are no other changes to state. With reforms, they are willing to swallow one. That’s the difference between the Rauner position and Pritzker and the rest of the Democrats. It may not seem major to readers here but I bet it is to voters. Guess we will find out.
Comment by Missing the point Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:25 pm
@BIG R. Ph.,
Yes, taxes need to go up. That’s how the government pays for stuff. And right now, it has a bill backlog of $12 billion plus underfunded pension systems.
What’s your plan to pay all of that off?
Comment by Tron Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:25 pm
Gee, let’s just stick with the Rauner plan instead. Keep taxes at 3.75% and continue to run up debt at a unprecedented rate.
Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:26 pm
Wouldn’t this make a better video than press release?
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:26 pm
@Missing the Point, the problem with Rauner’s reforms are that there is no evidence that they will grow the economy. Someone please explain how term limits will grow the economy.
Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:30 pm
===Voters don’t want a tax hike if there are no other changes to state.===
The changes would be (1) we’d start paying our bills instead of running up new ones, and (2) help the poorest Illinoisans survive, and (3) save the institutions responsible for allowing ordinary Illinois residents to best reach their full economic potential.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:44 pm
Maybe term limits would have gotten Madigan out of power long ago, now that maybe would have helped the economy and maybe some one with a conscience may have taken his place and realized decades ago that the pension problem was leading Illinois in the wrong direction. Just maybe. It appears career politicians seem to create many problems and never have many good solutions.
Comment by Arock Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:50 pm
And voters are soooo angry about property taxes that they turned out at rates of 20% to 25% in this week’s elections for the people who can actually raise or lower property taxes.
Comment by 100 miles west Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:51 pm
“That doesn’t get you everything you need” doesn’t mean he’s advocating for more than 5%. I’ve heard Republicans say that when they argue we need taxes and cuts.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:57 pm
- Missing the point - Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:25 pm:
Voters don’t want a tax hike if there are no other changes to state. With reforms, they are willing to swallow one. That’s the difference between the Rauner position and Pritzker and the rest of the Democrats. It may not seem major to readers here but I bet it is to voters. Guess we will find out.
Please show me one poll that supports this hypothesis.
Comment by TominChicago Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:57 pm
Dear Mr. Pritzker and Democrats,
When the Rauner and his personal property, the ILGOP, attack you, return the fire. Make blog posts be updated with your responses. Also initiate the attacks. Be prepared for this fight. Rauner is fighting you so hard that so much damage and carnage is caused. He may not be willing to pass a budget until his back is absolutely up against a political wall–and maybe not even then. So many people’s lives depend on your ability to wage and win political battles.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 1:00 pm
20-25%? Must have had better turnout than we did. Bloomington had under 7000 people vote. Normal was in roughly the same area of turnout.
Comment by Fixer Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 1:00 pm
===Voters don’t want a tax hike if there are no other changes to state. With reforms, they are willing to swallow one.===
True or not, the reality is that Revenue is NOT a “give” and Rauner needing one doesn’t allow the wiggle room Rauner seems to want… unless destroying social services and state universities was the plan all along, then this is just foolish yammering disguising the dishonesty of the real plan.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 1:01 pm
- Arock - Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 12:50 pm:
Maybe term limits would have gotten Madigan out of power long ago, now that maybe would have helped the economy and maybe some one with a conscience may have taken his place and realized decades ago that the pension problem was leading Illinois in the wrong direction. Just maybe. It appears career politicians seem to create many problems and never have many good solutions.
Please name one current house member who supports any aspect of Rauner’s “gut the middle class” agenda.
Comment by TominChicago Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 1:09 pm
Our local state Rep and Sen are Republican. They have both talked publically that taxes need to go to 5.5%+ to cover the financial hole the state is in even with cuts. When the questions came, their answers were please get a calculator and do the math. The woulda, shoulda conversations are fine. The math is unforgiving. The past kick the can actions, $13B in bills, and $110B+ pension numbers are driving the current status. Wishing it was different or simplistically tacking every thing to Madigan fixes nothing.
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 1:28 pm
==Let’s remind everybody, the tax used to be 5 percent, and he let it lapse down to three and three quarters percent. And that’s what started a lot of the problems that we’ve got in the state.==
Pritzker is aware of the pension debt, is he not?
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 1:41 pm
Must be some as they weren’t able to override Rauner’s veto as it pertains to negotiations with AFSCME.
Comment by Arock Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 1:44 pm
The tax went down under Democrat super majority in the GA and Governor Quinn. Which is still 0.75% higher than it originally was.
Comment by Arock Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 1:47 pm
===Must be some as they weren’t able to override Rauner’s veto as it pertains to negotiations with AFSCME===
Dunkin? Drury? Franks?
Try again, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 1:50 pm
–real reform–.
Is that different from the”structural reforms” or “economic reforms” that we’ve hearing about for two years?
Or are they just as meaningless when it comes to the actual budget?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 1:54 pm
“Pritzker mirrored the Madigan tax hike plan behind closed doors” is still a dishonest statement. It implies that it is some kind of secret plan. If Pritzker has made the same statement publicly, it isn’t some sneaky deal as the dishonest-ILGOP suggests. SAD!
Comment by PDJT Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 1:58 pm
>J.B. Pritzker followed Mike Madigan’s lead
Whoa, didn’t see that Madigan thing coming. /s
Comment by Earnest Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 2:02 pm
===Democrat super majority===
I’m really embarrassed for you. I know it makes you feel smart saying “Democrat” like that, but it makes you look foolish.
Also, Candidate Rauner and Gov-Elect Rauner wanted the tax lowered. So, there’s that, I’m sure you forgot that, “honestly”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 2:05 pm
“Voters don’t want a tax hike if there are no other changes to state.” If you sample the results of last Tuesday’s elections, you’ll find plenty of people who voted to raise their taxes without “reforms.” Next?
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 2:23 pm
Can I punch Steve Yaffe in the mouth?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 2:32 pm
The foolish ones believe that Rauner will just cave after two years of gridlock and just raise taxes higher than the Quinn tax hike all by himself.
The naïveté is just amazing on this thread
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 3:05 pm
===The foolish ones believe that Rauner will just cave after two years of gridlock and just raise taxes higher than the Quinn tax hike all by himself.===
The Rauner Tax will bare Rauner’s signature.
Revenue is a required element, not a give. Rauner knows this, but he (Rauner) wants cover. Too bad, a governor that wanted a deal never would’ve vilified partners as Rauner did.
Bruce Rauner fails… on purpose… to purposely hurt people in Illinois.
The 2012 quote tells me this is true, Rauner’s own actions are the actions of a man that was quoted to say wedges and pain are choices he wants.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 3:11 pm
–The foolish ones believe that Rauner will just cave after two years of gridlock and just raise taxes higher than the Quinn tax hike all by himself. The naïveté is just amazing on this thread–
How could Rauner raise taxes all by himself, not-foolish, not-naieve guy?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 3:14 pm
By the time of the election, Rauner is hoping that everyone will believe JB’s middle name is Madigan.
Comment by Archiesmom Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 3:15 pm
A year of campaigning and two plus years of (not)governing and all we have in the reform category is a $500 million ROI based on funky math.
From the same guy who is costing us $20 million in juice everyday for money owed because he can’t get a deal done.
And he can’t get a deal done.
There was a bi-partisan deal to be had and he alone killed it. Not MJM. Rauner.
Does “Arock” describe what you live under? Sheesh.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 3:18 pm
Pritzker and any Democratic nominee will need to explain, particularly to downstate and suburban voters, why he won’t just be a rubber stamp for whatever Mike Madigan and/or AFSCME want. Laugh about it now, if you wish.
Most people, I think, understand taxes will increase, as much as we hate it. The hole is too deep.
But the solution to the state’s problems *must* be more than just “Raise! TAXES!” no matter how much AFSCME, et. al., keep saying it.
Comment by JB13 Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 3:28 pm
==The naïveté is just amazing on this thread==
And yet you continue to demonstrate it with your complete lack of understanding of the concept of doing the doable.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 3:50 pm
Math is brutal. If you go look at some of the various reports, something like 5.25% is the bare minimum needed just to stay afloat. If you want to eat into the backlog, more is needed; the exact number depends on how quick you want to fix the Rauner created mess. (Yes, he had help but … Governor’s own.)
It may sound like shooting oneself, but someone needs to honestly tell the public that the best alternative is a temporary flat tax increase bridging to a amendment for a graduated tax. And couple that with a pledge for true reforms, not make believe ones that just continue business as usual with favored insiders(… about that building lease?).
It the various reports are true, it sounds like Pritzker knows this; maybe he just needs some help properly structuring the message.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 4:15 pm
==Pritzker said behind closed doors, “so lets just talk about this flat income tax, because we’re not going to be able to turn it into a millionaire’s tax, a fair tax – it’s gonna take us three years.”==
And may we remind you that Madigan and the constitutional convention he controlled are the reason it’s going to take us 3 years to get a graduated tax? (That’s snark, btw, because whoever wrote this obviously had no idea that Pritzker was recognizing the need for a constitutional amendment.)
Comment by Whatever Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 4:18 pm
A tax increase with little to no reforms is not doable.
What has changed in the past two years to indicate that is doable?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 4:26 pm
===A tax increase with little to no reforms is not doable.===
(Sigh)
“A tax increase”
Is 100% required. Not a give, it’s required.
“with little to no reforms”
That is a want. A want, as shown to “give” what is 100% required…
“is not doable.”
That’s why you fail, daily, - Lucky Pierre -
You know this. Your own phoniness to this continues.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 4:31 pm
==with little to no reforms==
Talking point arguments get really old.
I will again point you to the Grand Bargain. The negotiated deal the Governor killed. He doesn’t want the doable.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 4:35 pm
Did all the bills in my he Grand Bargain pass before Rauner intervened so it would earn his signature?
No they did not
Assuming it would all pass is just that an assumption
Plenty of time left to come to a true grand bargain
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 4:52 pm
===Plenty of time left to come to a true grand bargain===
The clock is running out on FY 17 and the grand bargain was originally about FY 17. Not to mention that the longer they wait, the bigger the chunk out of peoples’ paychecks if they backdate the tax hikes to January 1.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 4:55 pm
LP:
Please. Enough. Your continued twisting about with regard to the Grand Bargain would be laughable if you weren’t serious.
As OW said, your phoniness continues.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 4:56 pm
- Lucky Pierre -
You’re arguing with yourself.
It’s irrefutable, Rauner personally blew up the Grand Bargain. Leader Radogno has made it clear, everyone has made it clear.
Are you so dishonest in your thinking that you think everyone is wrong in truth here?
LOL!
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 4:57 pm
–Plenty of time left to come to a true grand bargain–
Yeah, all the time in the world, at $11M a day in juice.
Who is supposed to be negotiating with whom at this point? The Senate GOP got clipped by the governor.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 4:58 pm
==Plenty of time left to come to a true grand bargain==
Also, it’s been more than 2 years. I think the “plenty of time” left the train station a long time ago.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 4:59 pm
What’s really scary is that there’s a lot of people who think like Lucky.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 5:01 pm
== The clock is running out on FY 17 and the grand bargain was originally about FY 17. ==
Yes. I heard some who definitely should know say that if the Grand Bargain doesn’t get done until June, it will be too late to make the income tax increase retroactive. They didn’t come right out and say it in exactly these words, but it was pretty clear they were not counting on any new State income tax revenue until calendar 2018.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 5:03 pm
Team Rauner fifty million strong, morally bankrupt
Comment by Rabid Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 5:05 pm
That ILGOP press release has a bad case of “If You’re Explaining You’re Losing”.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 5:45 pm
Rauners superstars need to proofread before sending.
“And now matter how hard the political machine tries to stop us, we won’t give up.”
Comment by Seats Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 6:42 pm
Is Governor campaigning, asking for donations on state time?
Comment by anon Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 9:07 pm
JB Pritker’s quote about the tax rate used to be 5 percent and Governor Rauner allowed it to be lowered to 3.75% is factually incorrect
The Quinn tax increase was structured to sunset to 3.75% after the increase allowed for all the overspending to be cleaned up.
Of course despite all of the extra revenue the state collected Medicaid and other programs were expanded eating up a large portion of the increased revenue.
JB Pritzker blaming Governor Rauner for agreeing with the Democrats tax policy that sunsetted before he was sworn in is completely dishonest.
Of course Mike Madigan’s money man would only blame Governor Rauner
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 10:03 pm
Grand Bargains require a process that is built on trust.
Rauner didn’t just kill the legislation, he killed the process.
Democrats cannot negotiate with Radogno, she clearly cannot deliver any votes.
The only hope Democrats have at this point is to send the lifeline bill to Rauner and see if he actually has the nerve to veto it.
Comment by Free Set of Steak Knives Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 10:43 pm
The Grand Compomise was initiated by Leader Radogno.
All compromises have been initiated by Republicans
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 6, 17 @ 11:44 pm
===The Grand Compomise was initiated by Leader Radogno.===
… and President Cullerton. Thus the word, “compromise”.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 7:00 am
I thought that Rauner begged the Legislature to allow the 5% tax to be reduced to 3.75% before he took office because he could present a balanced budget with just 3.75% state tax and his cuts. Am I mistaken? LP? Bueler?
Comment by Big Joe Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 8:46 am