Lake County Gazette

State Rep. Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich) marvels at how predictable he finds Democrats in Springfield to be when it comes to the issue of taxes.

"It's not at all shocking that they seem to have a one-track mind about how we always need to acquire more revenue instead of thinking about how we work to operate as efficiently as can," Bos told the Lake County Gazette. "It's always what do we do to get more of the money of the residents and businesses of this state."

A few months after voters rejected a progressive tax plan long promoted by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, new House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) recently hinted Democrats are thinking of pushing the plan anew.

This time around, Welch and supporters hope a vow that revenues generated from the tax will be used to pay down the state's $141 billion debt in unfunded pension liability will make all the difference.

Bos can't see enough cash-strapped residents being swayed by the rhetoric for it to make a difference. 

"Pushing this tax will be a failure again because no matter how they try to package things, it's not what the people want," Bos added. "The bottom line is people do not trust Springfield or the system that's in place. I don't know anyone that believes this money will be used just for pensions."

If it comes to it, Bos said he worries if voters have the spirit for another progressive tax fight so soon after having already expressed themselves.

"Truthfully, I don't think they want to deal with it, and it'll be another red — in terms of people saying they've had enough and deciding to leave Illinois because of the tone-dead nature of Springfield," he said.

In November, the plan received 47% of the 60% support it needed for passage despite Pritzker pumping millions of dollars of his own money into a campaign aimed at getting it over the finish line.