Old tax system isn’t adequate

The current tax structure in Illinois is both unfair and inadequate.

At this moment in history, everyone is focused on the pandemic, as they should be. It is a public health emergency and economic disaster. We should be protecting the health and safety of this state’s residents while helping them get what they need: access to education, health care, unemployment assistance, paid leave and child care. Those needs don’t go away in a crisis. They increase.

The old tax system is unfair. That’swhy 34 of the states that have an income tax, and the federal government, have a graduated tax system. Under Illinois’ current tax structure, theworking class pay more than thewealthy as a share of their income. And the moneywe’re raising isn’t enough, forcing harmful cuts to state and local governments while pushing up property taxes. The pandemic didn’t change this.

The fair tax fixes this system. It allows anyone who makes less than $250,000 a year to either pay the same as they do now, or to get a tax cut— 97% of tax filers. And it will generate the resources needed to invest in programs to keep our residents safe, our children educated and our communities thriving.

We need this nowmore than ever. We need tax reform to help lift the burden from middle-class families and those struggling to get there.

We are still struggling with a teacher shortage. The fair taxwill help educators who make the least. It could also help ease the teacher shortage and bring educators back to Illinois.

It’s time for Illinois to get in line with what 34 other states, and the federal government do, and tax at a fair rate— the less you earn, the less you pay. Millionaires and billionaires will start paying their fair share, and an additional $3 billion in new money will help Illinois thrive.