SE Illinois News

Illinois state House candidate David Friess longs to be part of the solution in putting an end to what he sees as the state’s wasted potential.

“I think if the state were more business-friendly, Illinois could see unprecedented economic growth,” Friess told the SE Illinois News. “Citizens would stop leaving Illinois for states with more favorable tax systems. They would start a new business or expand an existing business. This would result in a growth in the tax base, which would translate into increased tax revenue without raising taxes.”

As it is, Illinois is in the midst of again raising corporate tax rates, this time with the hit coming at the same time that neighboring Indiana is in the process of almost cutting its rates by half. And things could soon get even more costly in Illinois if Gov. J.B. Pritzker gets his way with his progressive tax proposal.  

Small businesses would be hit even harder, with tax rates on some operations jumping by as much as 47% at a time when the industry is already reeling from the impact of the still- lingering COVID-19 pandemic.

“If Illinois continues to raise taxes on business, owners of those businesses will relocate to states with lower taxes,” said Friess, who is running against incumbent state Rep. Nathan Reitz (D-Steeleville) in the 116th District. “One of my highest priorities will be fighting to keep taxes low for Southern Illinois families.”

In addition, Illinois Policy Institute reports enacting a progressive tax would drop Illinois from 36th to 48th in the country for its business tax climate.

“I think the impact of higher taxes on our already fragile small business industry will result in small businesses going out of business and obviously higher costs for the consumer,” Friess added. “As such, high costs for the consumer, which means less disposable income for the consumer, which translates into economic contraction.”