IL
FAIR TAX – GET TO KNOW THE FACTS
By Sue Sitton
Think
Big Illinois (https://www.thinkbigillinois.com/)
is “committed to addressing the challenges our state faces and creating an
Illinois where everyone can thrive.” One
of their progressive priorities is “Advocating for a Fair Tax.” Recently, the Senate passed a resolution to
put the Fair Tax question on the 2020 ballot; now it’s up to the House. Take a moment to CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT FAIR TAX.
Think
Big Illinois has prepared the following “Fair Tax Surrogate
Talking Points.” Now it’s time for each of us to get to know more about
Illinois Fair Tax so we can share the facts with our family, friends and
neighbors.
·
Illinois faces a number of long-term challenges
after four years of an administration that was defined by irresponsible
governance and playing politics with our budget.
·
Action needs to be taken to address our
financial situation and put Illinois on the path to fiscal stability and a
balanced budget.
·
Implementing a fair tax is the only way to fix
our current financial situation without imposing a 20% tax increase on all
Illinoisans or making drastic cuts to critical services Illinoisans depend on.
·
Under the fair tax plan, 97% of Illinois
residents would not see a state income tax increase. Only those making more
than $250,000 will see their taxes go up, with the largest increases going to
those making more than $1 million.
·
This plan not only lifts the burden off middle
and lower income families who are disproportionately hurt by our current tax
structure, but it creates a more fair and just system where everyone can get
ahead.
·
Currently, everyone in Illinois pays the same
tax rate, regardless of how wealthy they are. This is fundamentally unfair
because it means middle and working-class families pay significantly more in
taxes as a percent of their income than the wealthy.
·
Middle-class families in Illinois on average
are forced to pay nearly 13% of their income in state and local taxes.
Meanwhile, the top 1% of Illinoisans only have to pay around 7% of their income
in state and local taxes.
·
Four out of five of Illinois’ neighboring
states have a fair tax, and they are doing better economically than Illinois.
·
A fair tax will also bring billions of dollars
in much-needed revenue into our state, which will help the state meet its
obligation to fund our schools and ensure we’re investing in our children
