Lake County Gazette

Republican state Senate candidate Chris Kasperski dreads what could be next if lawmakers in Springfield are allowed to begin taxing high-income retirees as part of a new progressive income tax system.

“If they begin to tax some retirees, then it is only a matter of time before they get to the rest of the retirees, like every other state that has implemented a graduated income tax has done,” Kasperski told the Lake County Gazette. “We cannot afford to lose our retirees to other states that would respect them.”

Illinois state Treasurer Michael Frerichs recently admitted that Illinois plans to follow suit, sharing “one thing a progressive tax would do is make clear you can have graduated rates when you are taxing retirement income.”

Running against incumbent state Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) in the 31st District, Kasperski laments such policy merely puts the state on a course where more of the same dysfunction is virtually guaranteed. 

“One of the few remaining bright spots that we have in Illinois is the flat state income tax,” he said. “Now, the same people who couldn't manage to pay for all their promises are looking to abscond with people's money in any way that they can. Gov. (J.B.) Pritzker and (Illinois Senate President) Don Harmon's political doublespeak shows that the fair tax is anything but fair. The goalposts are constantly widened to allow them more flexibility and inventiveness with how they reach into the pockets of everyone that they can.”

Kasperski said if voters sign off on a change to a progressive tax system at the ballot box on Nov. 3, it’ll only be a matter time before more people are taxed in the same way.

“Every last one of us will be hit by the ripple effects of Pritzker’s income tax increase,” he said. “Business owners are already struggling to keep up with the increase in the minimum wage and they have to pay for the inflation that he is causing to the price of goods, services and fuel. Families are fleeing by the tens of thousands each year to states that have managed their finances better and promise to treat them fairly. If these leaders are not up to the task of making Illinois a place worth living instead of leaving, then they should step aside.”

Between now and Election Day, Kasperski said he plans to make as many voters as he can think of what it’ll mean to have a progressive tax system.

“We are going to reach out to voters every single day to impress upon them the vital importance of this election,” he said. “For those that don't want to be coerced out of more of their money, the time to fight for it is now.”