Blaine Wilhour (R-Effingham) asked House members to stand up for overburdened taxpayers in Illinois during the vote on the graduated income tax amendment during Monday's session.
"This state has major issues," Wilhour said. "This body has done nothing to address major issues holding our economy at ransom. We’ve done nothing to help the middle class."
Wilhour said Illinois politicians need to grow a backbone.
"This body needs to deal with the real issues," Wilhour said. "They deserve accountability and they’re not getting that from this body. Stop stifling economy with job-killing policies. This legislation does nothing to address structural issues."
Wilhour asked his colleagues to vote no.
"I ask this body to stand up for the overtaxed and overburdened taxpayers," Wilhour said.
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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