East Central Reporter

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) does not doubt where Illinois voters stand regarding Springfield’s latest tax hike proposal.

“I am dubious that voters will be inclined to raise taxes, especially in light of the resounding defeat of the progressive income tax amendment last year,” Halbrook told East Central Reporter. “Career politicians can make all of the promises they want about tax increases, but in the end, voters do not believe the leaders in the House and the Senate will keep their word, and why should they?”

Just months after voters rejected a tax policy supporter’s insisted would only mean higher rates for the state’s wealthiest residents, new House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside) admits Democratic lawmakers might seek a redo on the plan.

This time around, Welch said that all revenue generated by the additional tax would go toward paying down the state’s $141 billion in rising unfunded pension obligation.

Halbrook said voters had heard it all before.

“We have been told time after time that we needed to raise taxes to reduce the backlog of bills or some other noble endeavor, and time after time the money gets spent and the problems the tax increase was supposed to fix remain,” Halbrook said. “Until the leaders in the House and Senate make a good faith effort to reduce spending, taxpayers should reject any tax increase proposal.”

In November, the tax proposal fell short of the 60% support needed for passage, despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker pouring millions of dollars into a campaign designed to turn what he had long-billed as his signature legislation into law.

In the end, the proposal garnered approximately 47% of the vote, even falling short of the 60% threshold in several Democrat strongholds.