Lake County Gazette

Republican state Senate candidate Chris Kasperski can think of at least 55 million reasons why he’s convinced even Gov. J.B. Pritzker knows his progressive income tax proposal is not in the best interest of Illinois.

“If it were such a great idea, then Gov. Pritzker would not be dumping $55 million of his money to convince us that it is,” Kasperski told the Lake County Gazette. “This is yet another example of him using his money to get more of ours.”

Kasperski argues history is on his side when it comes to lawmakers in Springfield selling tax increase proposals as representing one thing only to brig about somethign else entirely different.

“Three years ago, (state) Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) and her fellow Democrats overrode former Gov. (Bruce) Rauner's veto to pass the largest income tax hike in state history,” he said. “What have they done with all that extra revenue? They have underfunded schools, which worsened our property tax situation. They allowed their automatic pay increases to kick in. And they haven't done a thing to service the state's deep debt.”

Several media outlets have reported the governor recently contributed $51.5 million to a ballot initiative committee launched to promote the progressive tax proposal he’s been pushing since his days as a candidate. Vote Yes to Fairness, a committee headed by the governor’s former deputy campaign manager, recently received the funds and is already at work selling legislation that would convert the current flat tax to a progressive tax system.

On top of being the only individual to contribute more than $250 to the cause, Pritzker’s latest gift comes after an earlier donation of at least $5 million.

Now running against Bush in the 31st District, Kasperski argues replacing the state’s current flat tax with a progressive tax system takes away one of the few protections taxpayers in the state have left.

“I don't know if it is for lack of creative ingenuity or simply that they think that they can spend our hard-earned money better than we can,” Kasperski said to the question of why Democrats answer to everything always seems to be to raise taxes. “The leaders of the Illinois Democratic Party have made so many promises to get elected that they couldn't keep and they have played this charade for decades. When the bill comes due, they find new and inventive ways to separate us from our money.”

From Day One, Pritzker has sought to sell the tax as a change that will only mean higher rates for the state’s most affluent residents. Voters will finally have their say in November’s general election, where approval from 60% of those who vote on the issue or a majority of those who vote in the election overall is needed for passage.