House Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) called for a no vote on the graduated income tax amendment during Monday's session.
"Each year billions of dollars in proposed legislation that will add to what we owe (is proposed)," Demmer said on the House floor. "Those are challenged. Boy, it would be great if we had free money out there, but that’s not reality."
Demmer said people can portray it like it is magic money, but there are no rates in the bill.
"The reality is for every dollar this government takes in is a dollar taken out of pockets of Illinois," Demmer said. "We’re saying 'give your money to us and we’ll decide how to use it.'"
Demmer said lawmakers have not earned that trust from taxpayers.
"Let’s remind ourselves we live already in the state with the highest tax burden," Demmer said. "Illinois taxpayers have to bear those costs. We should have a lot of noes on the board."
Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 1 passed the House on Monday with 73 yes votes and 44 no votes. It will now be on the November 2020 ballot for Illinois voters to decide. Every single Republican voted no on the bill.
Many businesses and individuals have spoken out about their disapproval of a graduated income tax structure. Critics of the structure suggest because rates aren't nailed down in the amendment that it will eventually be a tax on the middle class.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been adamant about his preference for a "fair tax" since running for governor last year.
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