House Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Pawnee) said changing the constitution for the graduated income tax proposal will bring more taxes to Illinoisans.
"Changing our constitution to allow for this will inevitably bring more taxes to more Illinoisans," Bourne said. "Illinoisans cannot afford another tax increase and we can’t allow a system that allows us to change taxes to fill holes."
Bourne said many states are moving away from the graduated structure and that Illinois has the highest tax burden in the nation.
"We’re not talking about the overall tax burden—we have the highest burden," Bourne said. "This will include another tax increase and is not the right direction. It’ll make us less competitive."
Bourne said the tax would harm small businesses.
"We’re talking about small shops—people already struggling," Bourne said. "We know what this will do to the constitution, but, what we don’t know is the rates that will be implemented."
Bourne said the taxes will eventually hit the majority of Illinoisans.
"It's an attempt to raise income taxes," Bourne said.
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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