State Representative Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) joined House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and other House Republicans on Tuesday to announce the filing of HR 975, a measure that states opposition to a proposed progressive income tax on Illinois residents.
“The General Assembly cannot continue spending money frivolously and expect Illinois taxpayers to pick up the tab with more tax increases like this progressive income tax proposal from the Democrat Party,” said Durkin. “It is our constitutional duty to protect our constituents, and we will remain firm as a caucus on blocking any progressive tax measures.”
According to Reick, there are currently two progressive income tax proposals pending in the Senate and one proposal pending in the House. “In the 63rd District we are in the unenviable position of sharing our northern border with the State of Wisconsin, said Reick. “We have a better view than most of people fleeing our state.”
Reick pointed to a recent WalletHub study that indicated that Illinois already has the highest effective state and local tax burden in the nation, and said a progressive income tax is not the solution to Illinois’ financial problems. “The one thing Illinois actually does right is its flat income tax system,” Reick said. “Making taxes become a tool rather than a bludgeon to the taxpayers of this state will bring people back, create jobs and make us all better off.”
Click here to watch the press conference.