Bill Text: IL HR1025 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Supports the implementation of a progressive income tax in Illinois.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 48)

Status: (Passed) 2018-05-29 - Resolution Adopted 061-052-000 [HR1025 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-HR1025-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Because Illinois has a flat income tax, low and
middle-class families disproportionately share the burden of
funding the State's responsibilities; the combined effect of
all state and local taxes causes hardworking people with lower
incomes and struggling small business owners to pay a higher
portion of their income in taxes than wealthy households and
large corporations; a graduated income tax is a more fair and
progressive way for the State to generate revenue; and
WHEREAS, According to the Institute on Taxation and
Economic Policy, Illinois has one of the most regressive tax
structures in the country, as households in the bottom 20% of
annual income pay 13.28% of their income in taxes, while those
in the top 1% pay only 6.81%; and
WHEREAS, A progressive income tax will stimulate small
business growth; a smaller tax burden will be placed upon small
businesses, thereby giving them the additional resources
needed to reinvest in their businesses and ultimately increase
their net income, providing further stimulus for small business
formation and growth; and
WHEREAS, A progressive income tax will create additional
macroeconomic benefits for the State, as Illinoisans with

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smaller tax burdens find themselves with additional purchasing
power; this translates into higher revenues for Illinois
businesses and more robust economic performance for the State
as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Of the 41 states in the country with an income
tax, 33 have progressive rate structures, including most of the
states that border Illinois - Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, and
Wisconsin; furthermore, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri
all have locally-imposed income taxes; and
WHEREAS, Opposition to a progressive income tax fails to
recognize the ability to reduce the tax burden for the vast
majority of taxpayers; this opposition stems from a desire to
protect the status quo for the wealthiest members of society;
and
WHEREAS, House Resolution 975 of the 100th General Assembly
provides examples of punitive tax rate structures designed to
derail discussions about a fair and progressive income tax;
such tactics are commonly used by Republican politicians to
protect the ultra-wealthy from paying their fair share; and
WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is the 6th most populous
state in the country; it is home to world-class cities,
enriched communities, renowned tourist destinations, and is a

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leader in many areas including transportation, technology,
finance, manufacturing, agriculture, and, most importantly,
access to an unrivaled labor force; and
WHEREAS, There are many positive aspects of this State that
should be applauded and highlighted; unfortunately, we find
ourselves at a true crossroads; years without a full state
budget, forced upon Illinoisans by Governor Rauner, have
resulted in uncertainty and hardships for the citizens and
businesses of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, In spite of the recent, successful bipartisan
efforts to enact a full state budget for Fiscal Year 2018,
ending the worst budget crisis in the history of Illinois, the
State still faces significant financial challenges that cause
continued uncertainty regarding the State's ability to provide
for the services upon which Illinoisans rely; and
WHEREAS, Things must change for the better through fiscally
responsible and sustainable initiatives that foster economic
growth and cease to be an over-encumbrance on Illinois
taxpayers; this is why proposals such as those calling for a
progressive income tax to be adopted in this State must be
granted due consideration as a means of reducing the tax burden
on low and middle-income families while providing resources for
education, infrastructure, supports for our most vulnerable

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citizens, and other core responsibilities; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
stand united in support of a fair and progressive income tax
that must reduce taxes on low and middle-income families while
raising taxes on the wealthiest Illinoisans; and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
delivered to each member of the Illinois General Assembly and
the Office of the Governor as a testament to our unwavering
commitment to improving the day-to-day lives of families across
this great State.