Connie Beard can’t figure out why Gov. J.B. Pritzker doesn't see the handwriting on the wall.
“If you look at all the other areas across the country where a progressive tax has been installed, you see those areas aren’t doing too well financially,” the McLean County Republican Party chairwoman told the McLean County Times. “People are already leaving Illinois in large numbers because of taxes, and I think introducing something like a progressive tax when property tax rates are already through the roof will only result in more people leaving.”
During his recent first budget address, Pritzker prompted the debate by doubling down on his campaign promise of pushing a progressive tax. Since his Feb. 20 address, he and House Speaker Mike Madigan have openly campaigned for advancing such legislation prior to the current legislative session adjourning in Springfield in late May.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker
Ultimately, for such a plan to become state law, lawmakers must amend the Illinois constitution, and voters would need to approve it via a referendum vote that could be placed on the ballot as early as in 2020.
Beard, a licensed real estate agent, argues some matters are already a given if Illinois doesn’t quickly get taxes under control.
“If this progressive tax is installed, I can guarantee that the exodus from Illinois will continue,” Beard said. “And it’s the people that could help stabilize the state that will be the first ones out the door. To run out people like that is definitely the wrong thing to do.”
Illinois Policy Institute reports states with progressive income tax have lost almost 300,000 residents over a yearlong period beginning in July 2017, while states with no income tax gained at least that many over the same timeframe.
Meanwhile, Beard said she has figured out why so many Democratic lawmakers seem to ignore the obvious in pushing what she considers bad policy.
“Their motivation is to serve those that put them in office,” she said. “Certain financial sectors will benefit from a policy like this. If you follow the money, it becomes obvious who they are taking these kinds of steps for. There is gain to be had by people in power.”