Kane County Reporter

Dan Ugaste thinks a progressive income tax is the last thing the state of Illinois needs or can afford.

“It’s just another income tax hike on top of all the other hikes,” Ugaste told the Kane County Reporter. “Despite what’s being said, this will increase taxes on everyone at a time when we already can’t control spending. Even if you trust that this tax will only be placed on the highest earners, it still chases more people out of the state. Small business owners will be impacted, and as jobs go the more people will go.”

Despite Ugaste’s concerns, the proposed change from a flat tax to a progressive tax rate remains at least a possibility after a coalition led by House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) recently rallied to pass House Resolution 1025 advocating for the switch.

The non-binding resolution vote came after a progressive-tax constitutional amendment failed to make its way out of chamber earlier this year. House Bill 3522, filed in 2017 by state Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago), would raise taxes on individuals earning as little as $17,300 a year, according to the Illinois Policy Institute (IPI).

The institute also points out that the tax rates proposed in Martwick’s measure, known as the Friendly Act, would raise taxes on the median household by as much as almost 8 percent.

“Not only can’t the middle-income families I’ve been talking to afford to pay more in taxes, no one can, no matter what their class,” Ugaste said. “We need to reduce spending, workmen’s compensation and regulations, all of which will show that we are serious about getting our house in order.”

Ugaste is running against Democrat Richard Johnson to replace retiring Rep. Steve Andersson (R-Geneva) in the 65th District.

“Instead of hiking taxes, we need to be focusing on reforms,” he said. “Things like reigning in our property taxes and making it easier for people to still call Illinois home."