House Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) said the graduated income tax will cause Illinois to lose even more residents than it already has.
Davidsmeyer said from a business standpoint, Illinois is losing customers.
"Illinoisans are fleeing the state," Davidsmeyer said on the House floor Monday. "We have to invest in a new process."
Davidsmeyer said the new structure relies on somebody else paying this.
"There is no such thing as a free lunch," Davidsmeyer said. "Raising taxes is not the answer."
Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 1 passed the House on Monday with 73 yes votes and 44 no votes. It will now be on the November 2020 ballot for Illinois voters to decide. Every single Republican voted no on the bill.
Many businesses and individuals have spoken out about their disapproval of a graduated income tax structure. Critics of the structure suggest because rates aren't nailed down in the amendment that it will eventually be a tax on the middle class.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been adamant about his preference for a "fair tax" since running for governor last year.
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