Senate candidates Link, Lee divided over graduated income tax

Whether the state should impose a graduated income tax is among the issues separating Democratic incumbent Terry Link and his Republican challenger, Buffalo Grove attorney Soojae Lee, in the 30th state Senate District race.

Link since 1986 has represented the sprawling district, which encompasses 18 communities stretching from Waukegan in northeast Lake County to Wheeling in Cook County. The Vernon Hills resident is the assistant majority leader in the state Senate and the longtime Lake County Democratic Party chairman.

This is Lee's first run for public office. He said he is running to address financial issues, including the state's pension shortfalls, that threaten the future for his and other children.

Lee does not support a graduated income tax.

"Illinois had been a flat tax state for a long time, and if it weren't for the mismanagement and overspending, Illinois would not be in debt," he said.

Link said he supports modernizing the tax system and supports efforts to let voters decide if the state Constitution should be amended to implement a graduated income tax.

"If a majority of voters are in favor of a graduated income tax, it would give the state more than two years to discuss brackets and how the law should be implemented," he said.

Lee says pension reform is needed to reduce and control property taxes. By reducing pension liability, school funding can increase, he said. Schools generally account for about 70 percent of a property tax bill.

"Simply, we have too many school districts, which leads to excessive cost. We can reduce unnecessary expenses by consolidating school districts," he added.

Lee noted that the state's current pension liability is $250 billion. The deficit is so large, economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago suggest Illinois consider levying a 1 percent surcharge on everyone's property for 30 years, he said.

"Eliminating corruption, patronage jobs and wasteful government spending" is necessary before taxes are raised, Lee said.

Link says reducing property taxes is a "huge priority" for him and his constituents.

"We as a legislature must continue to find solutions to reform Illinois' tax system and seek alternative methods of funding to reduce our reliance on property taxes," he said.

"This encompasses continued education reform efforts to help school districts lower their levies, which is a bulk of people's property tax bills."