Income tax increase was sorely needed

The League of Women Voters of Illinois thanks the Illinois legislators who last week passed the revenue increase for the benefit of our citizens and the many needed services we have been fortunate to receive. While not one of us enjoys paying more dollars for our taxes, we also know that without this help, Illinois would remain in very dire straits, in danger of slipping into a practically irredeemable bankruptcy.

While we have indeed raised our personal tax rate to 5 percent, we know that we have not surpassed many states in the U.S., let alone our neighboring states. The media have reported the rates in Minnesota, 7.05 percent, Iowa, 6.8 percent, Wisconsin, 6.5 percent for single filers with a $40,000 income.

The League has long been in favor of a progressive income tax. This would mean a constitutional amendment, of course, so we also support measures that will give us a balanced budget and one that will truly meet the needs of our state. The League has always looked to our public officials to be wise and free of fraud and to be transparent in the use of our taxes. We ask our legislature to be prudent in the use of our monies as the decisions for remaining cutbacks come to vote.

While our $13 billion budget deficit equals almost half the state’s general revenue monies, at least 90 percent of the General Revenue Fund pays for education, health care, human services and public safety. To not fund these services is more than penny wise and pound-foolish.

Once again, the League expresses our deep thanks to those who supported the revenue increase, and we look forward to working with the newly installed General Assembly and finding common ground in the extensive work to be done.

Nancy Marcus

President

League of Women Voters of Illinois

Chicago