House Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) said the graduated income tax is not a fair tax for Illinois.
"Under this constitutional amendment, this General Assembly could actually find out what the highest-earning Illinois person is and set a rate on that for that one person," Wheeler said on the House floor. "We’re not protecting any taxpayers in this. There is no taxpayer protection in this."
Wheeler said the wealthiest are most likely to move and hide income.
"Stable income tax rates are most important for small businesses and that is being taken away with this amendment," Wheeler said. "We talk about fair versus unfair, and this is not fair to Illinois taxpayers until the Illinois government shows it can manage what it already has."
Wheeler said there were many reforms the House should consider instead.
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.
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