IL FAIR TAX – GET TO KNOW THE FACTS
By Sue Sitton
Think Big Illinois (https://www.thinkbigillinois.com/) is “committed to addressing the challenges our state faces and creating an Illinois where everyone can thrive.” One of their progressive priorities is “Advocating for a Fair Tax.” Recently, the Senate passed a resolution to put the Fair Tax question on the 2020 ballot; now it’s up to the House. Take a moment to CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT FAIR TAX.
Think Big Illinois has prepared the following “Fair Tax Surrogate Talking Points.” Now it’s time for each of us to get to know more about Illinois Fair Tax so we can share the facts with our family, friends and neighbors.
· Illinois faces a number of long-term challenges after four years of an administration that was defined by irresponsible governance and playing politics with our budget.
· Action needs to be taken to address our financial situation and put Illinois on the path to fiscal stability and a balanced budget.
· Implementing a fair tax is the only way to fix our current financial situation without imposing a 20% tax increase on all Illinoisans or making drastic cuts to critical services Illinoisans depend on.
· Under the fair tax plan, 97% of Illinois residents would not see a state income tax increase. Only those making more than $250,000 will see their taxes go up, with the largest increases going to those making more than $1 million.
· This plan not only lifts the burden off middle and lower income families who are disproportionately hurt by our current tax structure, but it creates a more fair and just system where everyone can get ahead.
· Currently, everyone in Illinois pays the same tax rate, regardless of how wealthy they are. This is fundamentally unfair because it means middle and working-class families pay significantly more in taxes as a percent of their income than the wealthy.
· Middle-class families in Illinois on average are forced to pay nearly 13% of their income in state and local taxes. Meanwhile, the top 1% of Illinoisans only have to pay around 7% of their income in state and local taxes.
· Four out of five of Illinois’ neighboring states have a fair tax, and they are doing better economically than Illinois.
· A fair tax will also bring billions of dollars in much-needed revenue into our state, which will help the state meet its obligation to fund our schools and ensure we’re investing in our children