SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 9, 2019) – With the Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee slated to vote on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive income tax amendment as soon as today, nearly 50 state and local leaders have united against the elimination of Illinois’ flat income tax protection.

In an open letter to Gov. Pritzker, circulated by the nonpartisan Illinois Policy, a bipartisan group of influencers urge the lawmaker and his peers to take the side of taxpayers and pledge a vote against Senate Joint Resolution Constitution Amendment 1.

The letter states that while the taxpayer advocates and job creators share a commitment to repairing Illinois, they strongly disagree that a progressive state income tax is the correct way to do so. Dozens of mayors, county board members, village trustees, state’s attorneys and sheriffs from communities across the state are listed, as well as key advocacy groups.

“We stand united in opposition to Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 1, the progressive income tax amendment. All evidence shows a progressive tax will make it easier to raise taxes and will create instability that will make it harder to govern, hurt businesses, damage Illinois’ economy and speed the exodus of hardworking Illinoisans,” the petition reads.

Should SJCRA 1 be approved in the House Revenue and Finance committee today, it would move to the House floor, where it needs a three-fifths majority vote to pass to onto ballot.

To read the letter and list of signatures, visit illin.is/letter