Metro East Sun

Republican candidate Dwight Kay internalizes details of the progressive tax now being proposed and wonders how long taxpayers will take the abuse.

“Are we just going to allow lawmakers to keep throwing out gimmicks hoping that taxpayers don’t understand what’s happening,” Kay told the Metro East Sun. “The progressive tax is just another gimmick for lawmakers to get more for themselves and the few people that they really care about.”

The Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) reports even as a progressive-tax constitutional amendment failed to make its way out of Springfield this year, the House of Representatives cast ballots in favor of House Resolution 1025, which was designed and filed by House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) to do just that.

At its core, the plan would eradicate Illinois’ long-held, constitutionally protected flat tax and replace it with a graduated, or progressive, income tax system.

While specific details of the latest plan remain somewhat sketchy, IPI reports House Bill 3522, filed in 2017 by Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago), would raise taxes on Illinoisans making as little as $17,300 a year. Known as the Friendly Act, Martwick’s plan would raise taxes on the median household by nearly 8 percent.

“This tax is one that’s being slapped on everyone who has an income of $17,000 or greater,” said Kay. “We’ve already had everything from a gas tax increase to sales and property tax hikes and now Democrats want more. When and where does it stop?”

The median household in all 118 Illinois House districts would see their income tax bill rise under the rates proposed in the Friendly Act, with income tax bills skyrocketing by as much as 22 percent, or $864, in the 18th House District, according to IPI.

Some economists warn that such a progressive tax hike could weaken the state’s already fragile economy by generating less economic activity overall.

“I’m meeting with people every day and almost all of them are prepared to leave the state or wish they could,” Kay said. “People tell me they feel trapped by Springfield politicians who have run us in the ditch and now can’t stop the wheels from spinning.”

The answer lies in lawmakers moving to take a strict and direct approach to get the state back on track, Kay said.

“We need to cut all spending that’s unnecessary,” he said. “We’re spending money on things that a state in a default post like ours shouldn’t even be considering. We need to cut everything and make sure every dime we spend is proven to be a modified necessity.”

Kay is running against incumbent Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) in Illinois’ 112th District.