Chambana Sun

Vermillion activist Rich Berner argues Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s push for a progressive tax system should come as no surprise to anyone.

“That’s the liberal strategy; always go after the rich, but the thing is it’s the middle class that ultimately always gets hit by their hikes,” Berner told the Chambana Sun. "This would be no exception.”

Still, the governor is clearly all in, with the Chicago Tribune reporting he recently pumped at least $51.5 million into a ballot initiative committee working to sell the plan he’s been pushing since his days as a candidate. Vote Yes to Fairness, a committee headed by the governor’s former deputy campaign manager, recently received the funds and is already at work promoting the ballot measure that would convert the current flat tax to a progressive tax system. In addition to being the only individual to contribute more than $250, Pritzker’s latest gift comes on a top of an earlier donation of $5 million.

While the governor continues to promote the tax as a change that will only mean higher rates for the state’s most affluent residents, state treasurer Michael Frerichs recently admitted passage of the tax could open the door to the state taxing retirement income.

“In the past, talk of taxing retirement income would be seen as touching the third rail or something untouchable” Berner added. “But I guess it really shouldn’t be that surprising. Nothing about Democrats and the idea of raising taxes should be, especially with the state being scrapped for cash in the midst of COVID-19.”

Berner argues none of it bodes well for the state going forward.

“We’ll continue on this downward spiral where they’ll be more pension debt and greater more outmigration,” he said. “To truly change things, we’ll have to get rid of the likes of Pritzker, House Speaker Mike Madigan and all of the other Democrats in power. After 100 years of liberal leadership, I think it’s time when you look at where we are.”