Steve Caramelli Opposes Taxing Retirement Income in Run for State Senate

HOFFMAN ESTATES - As he talks with voters throughout the district, Steve Caramelli is making one thing crystal clear: he will fight any effort in Springfield to tax retirement income.

Caramelli, running for the Democratic nomination for the 22nd State Senate seat, today is announcing his strong opposition to retirement taxes as the 2016 primary election campaign kicks into high gear.

Illinois has been named on some lists one of the worst states in the nation to retire in, thanks to skyrocketing property taxes and other local taxes that can pinch the budgets of retirees on fixed incomes. Yet some advocates have suggested one answer to the state's ongoing budget woes is a tax on retirement income that could bring billions of dollars into the state coffers.

A recent survey by AARP Illinois of its membership found nearly 9 in 10 oppose a retirement income tax, because it would have a negative impact on their household income and ability to make ends meet. Many of those say they would be forced to cut expenses or move out of state if a retirement tax was imposed.

"We hear in Springfield all the time about how we need to put more people to work, to draw more people here and help them be more successful," Caramelli said. "The retirement tax would do the opposite and force working people to make some really painful choices. I want to help people, not punish them, and so I'll oppose any efforts to tax retirement income as a state senator."

Caramelli worked his way through college as a motor truck driver, is a former member of Teamsters Local 700 and the Cement Masons Union Local 502, and has worked for the past dozen years as a police officer - including the last decade for the Illinois State Police. He has been active on the political scene in northwestern Cook County for several years. He was elected as a Hanover Township trustee in 2013 and became Hanover Township Democratic Committeeman in 2014.

Caramelli has a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago and has made progress toward a master's degree in public administration at UIC. He is engaged to be married, and his son Matthew is a fifth grader in the U-46 school district. His parents, longtime loyal union members, immigrated from Mexico and Italy. Caramelli speaks fluent English, Spanish and Italian.

Learn more about Steve's campaign at: http://caramelliforillinois.com