Metro East Sun

Former Illinois Representative candidate Mike Babcock (R-Bethalto) said it's time the people of Illinois unite against the "common enemy."

"No matter if you're a Republican, Democrat or whatever, you have to be tired of the taxes," Babcock told the Metro East Sun. "Nobody wants to see more taxes, but Springfield doesn't seem to care. This is what happens when you have a one-party rule for as long as we have. I'm hoping the outrage from this will be enough to bring people together because we're all are sick of it."

Just months after voters rejected a progressive tax plan endorsed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) hinted that Democrats have a new progressive tax they are thinking of pushing to be voted on.

Welch and supporters hope a vow that revenues from that using the tax to address the state's $141 billion debt in pension liabilities will make a difference. 

Babcock said this promise is just more of the same rhetoric.

"Raising taxes is what Democrats in Illinois do," Babcock said. "It tells you something that in a nearby state like Missouri, they're talking about lowering taxes and here, all we hear is more talk about raising them. It's really frustrating the way over the last 20-years democrats have destroyed this state."

Babcock said he thinks voters are finally catching on.

"They voted this down the last time and I'm convinced they will again if it comes to that," Babcock said. "With all the craziness, I'm hoping it will pave the way for some more republicans to be elected."

Back in November, the progressive tax plan received only 47% of the 60% support it needed for passage despite Pritzker pumping millions of dollars of his own money into a campaign aimed at getting it over the finish line.