SE Illinois News

State Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) argues Democrats in Springfield are violating the most basic tenets of keeping a house afloat.

“Anybody knows if you face financial hardship you don’t get to keep spending anyway you want,” Bailey told the SE Illinois News. “The governor thinks he can just take more and force Illinois citizens to give more to make it happen.”

Bailey fumes the progressive tax now being pushed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker just promises more of the same. And to make it happen, Pritzker and company seem willing to go to great lengths.

Democrat Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton recently warned voters if Pritzker’s proposal fails to get the support it needs for passage on Nov.3, taxpayers could soon face a 20% state income tax hike to cover any looming budget shortfall. Such a steep rise would send rates spiraling to an all-time personal high state income tax rate for residents of 5.94%.

Since then, the governor has essentially co-signed Stratton’s threat, further warning taxpayers it’s either the progressive tax or a 15% cut in government services, which could mean cuts in funding for education and public safety and a state property tax increase.

“They’re trying to scare people into going along with this progressive tax because they know this isn’t what people want to see,” Bailey added. “It’s like a card game and this is the worst bluff I’ve ever seen. Democrats have absolutely no desire or will to cut spending to help taxpayers.”

Over time, Bailey fears what that could come to mean for the state.

“People will continue moving out and that will force more of a burden on everyone that’s left here,” he said. “We’ve got to start the hard task of rebuilding Illinois and that means making sacrifice. Right now, we’re not doing anything right in our government. A lot of money being mishandled, corruption is rampant, you name. They’re calling this a fair tax but it’s really a punishment tax that will punish every taxpayer in Illinois.”