We must re-write our tax code to ensure that we raise the revenue we need for our budget, but it must be raised in a way that is fair and equitable for all Illinois residents.
Recently, the legislature passed an income tax increase. While I did not support this tax increase, most of us understood that due to the state of our budget, it was necessary to prevent our state from falling into bankruptcy. However, we simply cannot continue to raise taxes to solve our problems. We must find a way to balance our budget and run our government in an effective and efficient manner.
Our current state income tax is a flat 5%. This is an unfair tax because it places the greatest burden on working families. 36 of 50 states in our country have instituted progressive income taxes, which place a lower rate on working and middle class families, and a higher rate on wealthy individuals. I believe that with this type of income tax we can lower taxes on working families while still collecting the revenue we need to balance our budget. I support a voter referendum on an amendment to the Illinois Constitution to allow a change from our unfair flat tax to a more equitable progressive tax. It is time that all voters in Illinois have a say in how they are taxed.