HR0355 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0355 LRB101 12289 MST 60061 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is one of only a few states in the country that maintains a flat-rate income tax structure; and

WHEREAS, Of the surrounding states, only Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan have flat-rate income taxes imposed on taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois constitution currently provides that the State may only impose one non-graduated income tax on individuals and corporations; further, there is a limitation that prohibits the imposition of a corporate income tax rate that is greater than an 8:5 ratio vis-a-vis the income tax rate on individuals; and

WHEREAS, Since 2011, the General Assembly, has successfully passed two income tax increases; under P.A. 96-1496, the income tax was increased temporarily to 5% on individuals and 7% on corporations for tax years 2011-2014; the rates then fell to 3.75% and 5.25% on individuals and corporations, respectively, by tax year 2015; and

WHEREAS, In 2017, under P.A. 100-22, the General Assembly yet again increased the income tax rates, this time on a permanent basis, and established the current rate structure; the income tax rate on individuals is now set at 4.95% and 7% on corporations; and

WHEREAS, Illinoisans cannot continue to be punished with more tax increases; stronger protections enshrined in the constitution are needed to prevent the legislature from continuing to impose higher and higher rates; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Illinois Constitution be amended to provide that the state income tax shall never exceed 4.75% for individuals; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to each member of the Illinois General Assembly.