Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at an Advocate Health Care event at District 21 Health Center in Illinois. | Photo: BlueRoomStream / Screenshot
By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
Manufacturers say legislators at the Illinois State Capitol have done enough damage and a progressive tax would be too much.
Last week, former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn proposed a 3% surcharge on incomes over $1 million. The effort comes after voters in 2020 disapproved of changing the state’s flat tax to a tax with higher rates for higher earners. All the talk comes as Chicago’s mayor calls for “progressive revenue” from Springfield.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said state lawmakers are already talking.
“I believe that we need to have a system that is more progressive and less regressive than the one that we have now,” Pritzker said. “I think it is something that is being talked about by members of the General Assembly.”
Pritzker was asked about whether voters are ready for another push.
“I do think a graduated system is better than a flat tax system, and so if there’s a possibility for us to have a system like that, it’s better than the one we have,” Pritzker said.
On Tuesday, Technology and Manufacturing Association Executive Vice President Dennis LaComb said even the talk about such policies will turn prospective businesses away from Illinois.
“The rhetoric to revive a progressive tax is not only reckless but dangerous—prospective businesses will hear that and avoid Illinois, struggling working families will no longer be able to afford to live here and move elsewhere, and manufacturers and businesses looking to expand in this state will have to account for added taxes,” LaComb said in a statement.
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