House Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) said a graduated income tax structure will cause Illinois residents to flee the state during the House session on Monday when the chamber was voting on the constitutional amendment.
"We live in a state where we find accountability a difficult concept to get," Keicher said. "We call taxes resources and don’t refer to it as other peoples’ money."
Keicher said many constituents have told him they cannot wait to leave the state because of their high tax burden already.
Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 1 passed the House on Monday with 73 yes votes and 44 no votes. It will now be on the November 2020 ballot for Illinois voters to decide. Every single Republican voted no on the bill.
Many businesses and individuals have spoken out about their disapproval of a graduated income tax structure. Critics of the structure suggest because rates aren't nailed down in the amendment that it will eventually be a tax on the middle class.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been adamant about his preference for a "fair tax" since running for governor last year.
Alerts Sign-up