HR0153 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0153 LRB101 11347 MST 56861 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is the 6th most populous state in the country; it is home to world-class cities, enriched communities, and renowned tourist destinations and is a leader in many areas, including transportation, technology, finance, manufacturing, agriculture, and, most importantly, access to an unrivaled labor force; and

WHEREAS, There are many positive aspects of this State that should be applauded and highlighted, but, unfortunately, we find ourselves at a true crossroads; decades of fiscal irresponsibility and political malfeasance have resulted in an undesirable state of affairs that has plagued and will continue to loom over the Land of Lincoln; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has to move towards a future that seeks and expects to be competitive in all sectors; that is what every State across America is doing in order to embolden their residents and, furthermore, keep and attract the best and brightest employees and employers; and

WHEREAS, With this reality in mind, Illinois lawmakers, now more than ever, must act in order to ensure that the best days for Illinoisans are ahead of us; the time of kicking the proverbial can down the road is over, and the time of inaction has passed and is no longer a convenient option; Illinois must unequivocally reinforce the notion not only to every resident but to any person that may wish to come to the Prairie State that Illinois is truly forward-looking; and

WHEREAS, Currently, there is no greater threat to Illinoisans than that of continuing down our current trajectory; through years of laxity, unchecked spending, and ever-growing means of over-taxation, Illinois residents are being subjected to incredible pressures to leave their homes and relocate elsewhere; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has among some of the highest tax burdens of any state not only in the Midwest but in the country; Illinois has one of the highest average property tax burdens in the United States; Illinois residents are charged one of the highest average combined State and local sales taxes; if this were not enough, Illinois has estate, corporate franchise, and numerous other State and local taxes that make taxpayers reasonably question what Springfield is doing right; and

WHEREAS, To continue on this senseless path of overburdening, debilitating propositions of increased taxation and reckless spending is simply unconscionable, a path which now appears to include a new unfair tax on Illinois taxpayers; proponents of a graduated income tax offer that this is a "fair" treatment of taxpayers, yet this is far from the truth; and

WHEREAS, Studies have shown that states with graduated income taxes impose an increased burden on the middle-class; instead of creating fairness, this venture squeezes the tax base; and

WHEREAS, A graduated income tax in Illinois would only create added burdens and dissuade economic prosperity, two unintended consequences that proponents of enacting such a tax system fail to mention; and

WHEREAS, National organizations, such as the Hoover Institution, have outlined the gross inadequacies of the graduated income tax system; while it may appear to provide equity, the so-called progressive income tax punishes hard-working, middle-class families and small businesses that make up the majority of the tax base; there is nothing fair in making average Illinoisans pay for the shortcomings of a legislature that has created a tax-and-spend paradigm that is unsustainable; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is home to approximately 1.2 million small businesses, which, in turn, employ 2.5 million persons; small businesses, often structured as pass-through entities, will inevitably be further targets of this so-called progressive tax, becoming yet another group that proponents have failed to consider in their purported call for fairness; for these small businesses and the millions of workers they employ, there can be no greater disincentive to continue operating in Illinois than enacting yet another anti-business measure; and

WHEREAS, During the 2018 campaign cycle, blanket, unsubstantiated promises were made to Illinoisans across this State; assurances were offered from ardent proponents that this so-called progressive move would lead to tax savings, without once providing substantive proposals; however, the campaign speeches are over; and

WHEREAS, It is not enough to propose living in a make-believe reality where promises can be made to spend the peoples' money with no consideration given to the very real consequences that will inevitably come back to haunt us; the unbridled desire for revenue has, without fail, forced Illinoisans across the State to pay for the reckless spending plans of those in power; and

WHEREAS, We must vociferously fight against tax-and-spend policies of the past; this General Assembly presents an opportunity to work collaboratively and on a bipartisan basis to (i) balance the budget, (ii) make sure government services are efficient and effective, and (iii) prevent any new and unnecessary taxes; and

WHEREAS, A move by the General Assembly to amend the constitution to impose a graduated income tax would mean turning our backs on the residents of this State and the spirit of bipartisanship; and

WHEREAS, Today, it is an almost preconceived maxim in Illinois that the need for new revenue and the wanton lack of checks on spending will always result in higher and new taxes for everyone; the time has come to end this unfortunate and vicious cycle; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we stand united in opposition to any measure that would allow the creation of a graduated income tax on Illinois residents; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to each member of the Illinois General Assembly and the Office of the Governor as a testament to our unwavering commitment to improving the day-to-day lives of families across this great State.