Lake County Gazette

State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) is vowing to continue his crusade aimed at stopping Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed progressive income tax plan in its tracks.

“J.B. Pritzker’s progressive income tax hike is wrong for Illinois,” McSweeney said. “We need to quickly develop an economic reform plan that includes tax cuts, not raise taxes on families and small businesses.”

Despite the governor’s persistent claims that the tax will only mean higher rates for the state’s most affluent residents, McSweeney isn’t buying it.

“The governor’s progressive tax would eventually devastate the Illinois middle class,” he added. “We need to stop raising taxes on families and small businesses.”

Taking a stand against a policy the governor has been pushing since his days as a candidate comes as nothing new for McSweeney. He recently blasted the plan in an Illinois News Network op-ed as a burden that would end up squarely on the shoulders of middle-class taxpayers.

“The linchpin of the Pritzker plan wouldn’t hurt the wealthy a lot – they easily can move out of Illinois,” he wrote. “There is a reason we do not see a tax rate schedule from those supporting the progressive income tax. They do not want voters to see exactly who the progressive income tax will affect. Do you really trust Illinois career politicians to set your tax rates?”

Voters get their chance to weigh in on the measure in November when the question of should the current flat tax system be changed to a progressive tax system is set to appear on the ballot in the form of a referendum.

“The last thing Illinois residents and small businesses need during these difficult times is another tax hike,” he said. “I’m fighting to stop Gov. Pritzker’s progressive income tax hike and get our economy back on track for hard-working Illinoisans.”