Chambana Sun

Republican candidate Dan Caulkins counts at least 9,000 reasons why the idea of a progressive tax system makes no sense for Illinois.

“I’ve heard enacting a progressive tax would cost the state at least that many jobs,” Caulkins told the Chambana Sun. “People and businesses are already leaving the state in droves and a progressive tax will only move more of them to follow suit.”

House Resolution 1025 recently passed in Springfield after a push for a progressive-tax constitutional amendment failed to make its way out of the general assembly earlier this year despite the backing of House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).

The non-binding resolution serves as a public endorsement for a tax plan that would lower taxes on Illinoisans with lower income and raise taxes on the state’s wealthiest.

Despite the language of HR 1025, which states that lawmakers “stand united in support of a fair and progressive income tax that must reduce taxes on low and middle-income families while raising taxes on the wealthiest Illinoisans,” House Bill 3522 would have increased taxes on residents earning as little as $17,300 annually, according to the Illinois Policy Institute (IPI).

Critics of the plan also note HB 3522, known as the Friendly Act, would increase tax rates in the district of every lawmaker who voted in favor of the legislation by as much as 8 percent.

“No one I’ve talked to in my community is in favor of this,” Caulkins said. “People of Illinois know what’s going; they aren’t uninformed. They’re paying attention to where their money is going.”

Caulkins is running against Democrat Jennifer McMillin in the 101st District.

IPI also reports the median household in all 118 Illinois House districts would be on the hook for a tax increase under the provisions of the Friendly Act with income tax bills skyrocketing by as much as $864 in some districts.

“Those pushing this thing insist that only the wealthy will pay more, but if you dig into the particulars you see it touches everyone,” Caulkins said. “People of Illinois have seen this again and again from these career politicians. They make all these promises that never hold up. They passed all this lottery related legislation that was supposed to give us the best schools in the country and look how that turned out.”