SE Illinois News

Republican state House candidate David Friess fears Illinois may bear little resemblance to itself once he arrives in Springfield if Democrats continue to have their way.

"I am of the opinion that earnings of any retiree should not be taxed,” Friess told the SE Illinois News in voicing his opposition to a plan that would pave the way for lawmakers to begin taxing high-income retirees. “Illinois is losing population at an alarming rate of younger workers who are in the prime of their wage earning years. If Illinois imposes a tax on retirees' income, Illinois will also see a mass exodus of retirees to more tax friendly states.”

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs recently admitted that the state plans to follow in the footsteps of every other state with a progressive tax system in place by allowing for the taxation of such income above a certain threshold. Friess, a Red Bud resident, said he sees that as just the start.

“When it is all said and done, I fully expect everyone in Illinois to be hit by the progressive tax because the progressive tax will give the legislature the ability to continually raise taxes on everyone,” he said. “As such, even if an individual in a certain tax bracket may not see an immediate tax increase, the legislature will eventually raise taxes for that tax bracket.”

Between now and Election Day, Friess said he plans to make as many voters as he can of what it’ll mean to have a progressive tax system as law, adding he sees that will only be the start.

"I tell everyone I encounter that the progressive tax is going to kill jobs in Illinois,” he said. “I will make sure that voters are completely aware of what the progressive tax will mean for the state.”