South Central Reporter

State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) sees the promotion of the progressive tax championed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker as the panacea for all the state’s financial woes as totally impractical.

“The progressive tax being pushed by the governor is not even a temporary band-aid for the state’s struggles,” Wilhour told the South Central Reporter. “We’re talking about the $3 billion the governor claims the tax will generate when he’s already promised $10 billion in new spending off of it."

Wilhour fears the tax pushed by Pritzker since his days as a candidate only opens the door for even more callousness. A new Illinois Policy Institute analysis projects that small businesses across the state soon could be forced to pay as much as a 50.3% marginal income tax rate should the tax appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot in the form of a referendum question garner the support it needs for passage. Ignoring growing warnings from many that the tax stands to handcuff small business owners even more, the governor continues to push his signature proposal as one that will only mean higher tax rates for the state’s most affluent residents.

At around 60% of net job creation, small business owners currently rank as the state’s biggest job creators. But those numbers could soon be on the decline, with researchers finding an increase in the top marginal tax rate could mean a slide in the hiring practices of entrepreneurs and slumping earnings for workers.

“Enough is enough,” added Wilhour, on the ballot next month in the 107th District against Democrat David Seiler. “We can’t keep covering for irresponsible politicians that have little or no regard for the people they’re supposed to represent.”

Wilhour said it’s incumbent on voters to make their voices heard as never before when they get their chance at the ballot box on Nov. 3.

“It’s important that we send a message by voting this thing down,” he said. “It’s not going to fix any of our problems. Between now and Election Day, you’ll see a lot of advertisements to that effect but that’s all it is. The governor continues to claim this will only be a tax on the rich, but the fact is we’re not voting on the rate. You’re being asked to make politicians in Springfield even more powerful than they already are.”