November 5, 2020 – Governor J.B. Pritzker blames Republicans for the failure of his progressive income tax amendment, which voters rejected Tuesday. The governor said that tax increases and budget cuts could be on the table as he works with legislative leaders to find ways to address the state’s budget and deficit.
Pritzker said yesterday that the progressive tax was the best way to fix the state’s fiscal problems. “It went down to defeat,” Pritzker said. “I understand the other side told the lies that they told. A lot of people believed that and that’s too bad and now we’re going to have to suffer the pain that was brought on.”
Nearly 55% of voters voted “no” on the proposed amendment that would have changed the flat income tax to one with higher rates on higher earners.
Illinois Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Maisch said tax increases were rejected by voters on Tuesday and that increasing taxes would be a big mistake. Maisch said it is time to address spending problems. “Government-funded healthcare is a huge cost driver for the state right behind pensions and he hasn’t done enough to hold down those costs,” Maisch said.
Pritzker said he’s going to work with legislative leaders to find budget solutions. “Whatever happens here, the pain that is endured by the people of Illinois, by the working families of Illinois is on the Republicans and the special interests and the billionaires that back the Republicans, they’ve got to step forward and help,” Pritzker said.
This year’s budget based more than a billion dollars on the progressive tax that failed and $5 billion of federal aid that hasn’t materialized.
