SE Illinois News

Darren Bailey has a rational explanation for why the idea of increasing Illinois’ flat income tax rate strikes him as being nonsensical.

“You go taxing people with money, (and) they’re the ones with the resources to just move out of state,” he told the SE Illinois News. “This would create the kind of mass exodus that would turn Illinois into a ghost town.”

Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker recently endorsed the tax hike idea on a temporary basis as lawmakers work toward a change in the state Constitution that would pave the way for a graduated income tax.

Pritzker, who bested rivals Chris Kennedy and Daniel Biss in the Democratic primary and is set to face off against Gov. Bruce Rauner in November’s general election, said his plan would also boost credits and deductions, though he shied away from detailing what he thinks the final, increased tax rate would look like.

During his Democratic primary campaign, Pritzker said his graduated tax idea would make tax rates synonymous with income levels. Ultimately, the issue would be placed on the ballot for voters to consider, with the earliest timetable being in 2020.

“This is just a prescription for more doom and gloom,” Bailey, the Xenia Republican who will face Democrat Cynthia Given of Olney in the 109th House District in November, said. “We got to cut spending; we’re already the highest taxed state in the country.”

Bailey said Republicans have to act now to get their act together in time for November.

“Republicans have to come with a reform agenda that turns things around,” he said. “I don’t understand this tax plan Democrats are pushing, maybe they want the state to hit bottom faster.”

As it is, Bailey said he fears Pritzker is growing bolder and more confident by the day.

“Conservative, Republican voters were really turned off by (Rauner) signing HB40 (a bill to expand state funding for abortions) into law, and he needs to join the movement I’m a part of to have that repealed," Bailey said. "It will take something like that for him to win back conservative support.”

The 109th District includes parts or all of Jasper, Effingham, Clay, Richland, Lawrence, Wabash, Wayne, Edwards and White counties.