State Sen. Chuck Weaver of Peoria was one of four lawmakers who talked with Chicago leaders earlier this week about the Constitutional Amendment proposed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The amendment would fundamentally change the state’s income tax system from a flat rate structure to a progressive rate structure. Weaver joined Democratic State Sen. Elgie Sims of Chicago, Republican State Rep. David McSweeney of Cary and Democratic State Rep. Will Guzzardi of Chicago to participate in the City Club of Chicago’s panel discussion about “Graduated Income Tax: What does it mean for Illinois?” Weaver says the progressive income tax proposal is more like an introductory cable offer to get people to vote to remove the flat tax limits, and he believes the end result will be higher taxes on middle-income families. He said, “The progressive tax makes it even easier for Illinois to tax middle-income families. Illinois needs the discipline that the flat tax in the current Constitution offers.” The 37th District Senator also warned that state government’s continued reliance on tax-and-spend policies, as well as its past track record in overspending, will continue to drive individuals and businesses from Illinois. On April 10, the majority party in the Senate advanced out of committee a proposed progressive income tax that provides no protections for middle-income families and would give those lawmakers the ability to raise taxes in the future. Senate Joint Constitutional Amendment #1 will place a referendum on the 2020 General Election ballot asking voters if they support moving Illinois from a flat tax to a progressive tax structure. While the measure advancing in the Senate deals with putting the question on the ballot, there is no legislation that would limit future tax increases.
