Kane County Reporter

GOP state Senate hopeful Jeanette Ward is imploring voters to read between the lines when it comes to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s latest tax hike threats.

‘“Hey people of Illinois and Senate District 25, elect us and we’re going to raise your taxes one way or another,’” Ward said of the way she interpreted Pritzker’s latest vow.

With the progressive tax proposal the governor has been selling since his days as a candidate far from a done deal when it’s set to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, Democrat Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton recently warned voters if Pritzker’s proposal fails to get the support it needs for passage, taxpayers could soon face a 20% state income tax hike to cover any looming budget shortfall. Such a steep rise would send rates spiraling to an all-time personal high state income tax rate for residents of 5.94%.

Since then, the governor has essentially co-signed Stratton’s threat, further warning taxpayers it’s either the progressive tax or a 15% cut in government services, which could mean cuts in funding for education and public safety and a state property tax increase.

Despite the governor continuing to insist the tax he has pumped more than $56 million of his own money into will only mean higher taxes for the state’s richest residents, Ward, who is running against incumbent state Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), argues nothing about the plan adds up.

“Before long, there’ll be an increase on taxes for everyone because we’ll be giving the legislature a blank check to whatever they please with taxes,” Ward told the Kane County Reporter. “It won’t be long before they’ll even be taxing retirement income.”

As Election Day draws closer, Ward said she is hoping voters will make it a point of remembering who’s who.

“The Democrat Party is the party of tax and spend and we’re already paying the price,” she said. “Illinois is already home to one of the highest tax rates in the country and consequently that makes us have one of the highest outmigration rates anywhere. I just hope that the people of Illinois are smart enough not to vote another tax on themselves.”