Turmoil overseas for the world’s leading exporter of crude oil will mean more pain at the pump for Illinoisans, after enduring a doubled state gas tax in July.

Illinois’ two major income tax hikes were major failures.

In a single year, Illinoisans witnessed their state’s net worth drop by a staggering 35%, or $47.4 billion, despite shouldering the largest permanent income tax hike in state history.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” plan falls far short of the revenue needed to pay for his spending promises – feeding fears of future tax hikes on middle-class families.

The elections scheduled for November 2020 are already injecting uncertainty into the economy, and the progressive income tax ballot question will make matters worse.

Lawmakers sold 20 new taxes and fees as necessary to rebuild crumbling roads and bridges and balance the budget. Instead, taxpayers will be funding dog parks, swimming pools, snowmobile paths, a vacant theater and pickleball courts.

Property tax increases cannot be capped without addressing the costs driving high property taxes. Some lawmakers are ignoring that to draw support for Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive tax.

Recent polling shows many Illinoisans would not trust state lawmakers with expanded taxing authority under a progressive income tax system.