Ultimately, the state’s spending and debt habits mean Pritzker’s plan will be a bridge to higher taxes for the middle class. Pritzker and state lawmakers should instead pursue sensible spending reforms that don’t require declaring open season on Illinois taxpayers.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is pushing a progressive state income tax without delivering the numbers to prove his promises. The numbers available from other states make it clear a progressive tax will hurt Illinois’ economy.

Despite already shouldering one of the nation’s highest total tax burdens, middle-class Illinoisans would be exposed to extra income taxes under language proposed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

The Senate Executive Committee voted on an amendment scrapping Illinois’ constitutional flat income tax protection. But lawmakers have yet to introduce a bill outlining what the rates would be.

While the governor has touted his plan as a way to stabilize state tax revenues, it would actually do the opposite.

Illinoisans already pay some of the highest taxes in the country at the pump. But a political problem for Gov. J.B. Pritzker could mean they’ll pay even more.

Because the governor doesn’t address state and local governments’ ballooning pension costs, the typical Illinois family will continue to see their tax bills rise.

Without reform, Illinois’ pension problem will continue to force tax hikes while crowding out the core services residents need.

Illinoisans are among the nation’s most overtaxed residents. A proposed Illinois constitutional amendment would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers before adding to that burden.