Chris Hicks hopes Illinois voters come to feel the same way he did when he learned that Senate Democrats had voted to institute a $5.4 billion tax hike as part of their overall budget proposal.
“This shows how Dems are not looking out for their constituents and are putting party over everything,” Hicks, who is running for a Senate seat from the 48th District, told the Metro East Sun. “We need to be cutting into the muscle of all these outrageous taxes, not finding ways to inflict even more damage on taxpayers.”
The budget plan would raise the individual income tax rate to 4.95 from 3.75 and the corporate tax rate to 7 percent from 5.25 percent, while simultaneously slapping an average 3 percent tax on cable TV, digital streaming services like Netflix and satellite TV.
Christopher Hicks
The bill would also impose a sales tax on laundry services, security and alarm services, and tattoo and piercing products.
Hicks’ points out that the bill was passed without any Republican support and Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hills) has led the charge.
“I can’t think of anyone who would be willing to pay more money in taxes,” Hicks said. “And this hike means about $1,200 more a year for the average taxpayer. It shows the Democratic Party needs to be broken up to get rid of (House Speaker Mike) Madigan. His plan tells us their priority is serving party over voters.”
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has pledged to veto any budget proposal that does not institute property tax reform.
“It’s good to think of constituents being put first and we as lawmakers doing all we can not to raise taxes any higher,” Hicks said.
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