Grab the scissors. Our ‘bedsheet ballot’ is here.

Today the Tribune Editorial Board publishes whatwe call our “bedsheet ballot.” It’s our list of endorsed candidates that readers can clip from the newspaper and carry with them into voting booths. Yes, it’s legal. So round up the scissors.

For the more digitally savvy, you can find the ballot and other election information at chicagotribune.com/endorsements.

Two items you’ll see on our list areworthy of extra attention: a “voteNO” recommendation to changing the Illinois Constitution’s flat income tax to a graduated-rate tax, and our endorsement of Pat O’Brien for Cook County state’s attorney.

We know Illinoisans have been inundated with television ads, emails and mailers on the so-called “fair tax,” whichwould end Illinois’ constitutionally protected flat tax. We advise voting this constitutional change down for many reasons, among them the trust Springfield politicians have eroded with their constituents overmany years. Taxpayers have little reason to believe a switch to a graduated-rate income tax, whichwould allowelected officials more freedom to tinker with rates, would not eventually hit the middle class. It will.

It is no small change. If approved, Illinois would become the first state since 1996 to switch froma flat to a graduated tax.

Why the deep lack of trust between Illinois voters and government? Because the trail of broken promises fromSpringfield is long and long lasting.

Did tollways become freeways across the state, as promised beginning in the early 1970s? Did the Illinois Lottery solve the state’s school funding dilemma? Did the 1989 income tax surcharge get rolled back as promised? Did unfunded pension problems get fixed in the mid-1990s or have lawmakers kicked the can? Did the 1997 College Illinois programpay for itself or is its unfunded liability nownorth of $500 million?

Did the 2011 income tax hike of 67% solve the state’s budget problems, including our embarrassing backlog of unpaid bills? How about the 2017 income tax hike? Have you gotten property tax relief, as Gov. J.B. Pritzker promised last year? Have legislators allowed redistricting reform or term limits to get on the ballot for you toweigh in on? Or have they blocked those popular, citizendriven efforts?

Rhetorical questions all, and reason enough for voters of all political stripes, even supporters of the governor, to say, finally, enough. No more blank checks for Springfield.

The second issue of note you’ll see on our bedsheet ballot is an endorsement for Republican Pat O’Brien for Cook County state’s attorney. Aswe explained in our Sept. 27 editorial, the performance of the incumbent, Kim Foxx, has created extraordinary doubts in our minds about her ability to strike a balance between criminal justice reform and public safety.

O’Brien, a former prosecutor, defense attorney and judge, is ready to strike the right balance. Wewrote: “You’d be hard pressed to find a more experienced and well-regarded jurist for the job. Thework Foxx has done to reverse wrongs in the Cook County system is laudable. But some mistakes are too serious towarrant a second term.” We do not recommend the Libertarian candidate on the ballot for state’s attorney.

Most important, go vote. Early voting is underway. Mail-in ballots are being circulated. And for the die-hard in-person voters, Nov. 3 is quickly approaching. Bring your clipped Tribune bedsheet ballot— and your face mask.