Misleading coverage could doom tax plan

I think the Daily Herald's front page headlined article, "A doomed tax plan," on Thursday, March 19 by your John Patterson and three other contributing staff writer was very misleading in comparing Illinois income taxes with our five contiguous states. This kind of reporting does a disservice to our governor and will certainly help "doom" the budget. Your article included a chart labeled "Among nation's most generous tax exemption" showing Illinois with the highest personal income tax exemption compared to our surrounding states. Then along side of that chart showed another chart "state income tax history," with a comment on the chart that read "Gov. Pat Quinn wants a 50 percent increase in the personal income tax rate," The rate would be increased from 3 percent to 4.5 percent, or by 1.5 percent.

I find it misleading and very curious this chart did not compare our 3 percent rate to the rates of other states as did the chart used in showing the exemptions. This omission is very misleading.

The fact is surrounding states have higher rates, and some of the states have a progressive rate. The rates in these states are: Indiana, 3.4 percent; Missouri, 1.5 percent to 6 percent; Kentucky, 2 percent to 6 percent; Iowa, 0 percent to 8.9 percent (yes, 8.9 percent for $63,000 and greater); and Wisconsin, 4.6 percent to 6.7 percent.

This kind of incomplete or biased reporting is not helpful in solving the $11.5 billion deficit and adds to and perpetuates the bipartisan bickering. As were the exemptions, the Illinois rate of 3 percent should have been shown in comparison to the rates of the other states, not just referring to it as a 50 percent increase. To leave people with the impression that all our surrounding states have lower-income taxes is wrong. To leave people with the impression the governor is asking for a 50 percent increase in income taxes is also wrong. Whether your article was written intentionally to leave that impression or not, it was very misleading. I think all agree the state cannot cut it's way out of this mess left by Blagojevich. Pat Quinn has attempted to take a fiscally sound approach. His budget proposal may be political suicide for him, but it is a responsible approach and should be given a fair presentation by the press.

Leo A. Dietrich

Lake Villa