Taxpayers have won the defensive battle against a progressive tax hike. Now it’s time for some offense.

Fifty lawmakers are taking a pledge to fight a progressive income tax in Illinois, denying progressive tax proponents the support needed to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot.

As examples of the type of progressive tax plan he would like to see in Illinois, J.B. Pritzker pointed to other Midwestern states. But imposing those income tax rates would raise taxes on the median Illinois family.

Protecting taxpayers by ensuring they’re getting a state government they can afford? That’s friendly.

Instead of pushing for further tax hikes on tapped-out taxpayers, lawmakers should rally behind a bipartisan effort to limit state spending.

One progressive tax proposal filed in the Illinois House of Representatives would hike income taxes on Illinoisans earning as little as $17,300 a year.

Though some politicians claim a progressive income tax would only affect the rich, rates established under House Bill 3522 would raise income taxes on middle-class families.

A progressive tax proposal in the Illinois House would raise taxes on an overwhelming majority of families already struggling with some of the highest tax burdens in the nation.

The Illinois side of the Quad Cities is already seeing population loss as residents pack up and leave high tax burdens behind.