Rep. Jesiel Sponsors Resolution to Oppose More Income Tax Increases

Today, State Representative Sheri Jesiel (R-Winthrop Harbor) joined House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and other House colleagues to file House Resolution 975 to state their opposition to a proposed progressive income tax on Illinois residents. The legislators announced the filing of the resolution at a press conference (https://www.facebook.com/ILHouseGOP/videos/1824401687622472/) at the Illinois Capitol in Springfield.

"Since my district is on the Wisconsin border, I am contacted almost daily by constituents and businesses seeking relief from the high cost to live and work caused by the tax burden imposed here in Illinois," said Jesiel. "The number one issue these people are already facing is not a matter of if they will leave Illinois, but when they will be able to leave."

Jesiel noted a typical family in her district living in a $250,000 home, earning an average annual income of $55,000 is already paying $10,000 in taxes on their home and their income taxes increased to over $2,700 annually last year due to the state's income tax increase. If their income taxes increased again by just 1% or 2%, they would be looking at another increase of close to $1,000 or more.

"People simply cannot afford a progressive income tax," said Jesiel. "If we are serious about being a compassionate state that provides for our most vulnerable, then we need to realize our current tax system is turning ordinary citizens into the vulnerable. Instead of imposing more taxes that drive people out of Illinois, we need to pull back the reins of taxation and live within our means to allow families and businesses to prosper."

Illinois already has the highest effective state and local tax burden in the nation, according to a report by WalletHub. Studies have shown that states with progressive income taxes create even more of a tax burden on the middle class and dissuade economic prosperity.

"The idea of a progressive income tax in Illinois has failed over the years because we know it would lead to irreparable damage to Illinois' struggling economy," said House Republican Leader Jim Durkin who filed the resolution. "We are saying no to this proposal and any more tax increases on Illinois taxpayers."

A total of 50 members of the House of the House Representatives have joined Jesiel and Durkin in sponsoring the resolution. Find more about HR 975 here: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=975&GAID=14&GA=100&DocTypeID=HR&LegID=112350&SessionID=91.