Small businesses got federal tax relief to handle the COVID-19 economic downturn. Now Springfield is trying to take away the same break on state taxes, costing the state’s main job creators $1 billion with hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans still out of work.

Federal tax relief was championed so small businesses could better deal with COVID-19 economic impacts. Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to undo that relief to keep $1 billion in state taxes from Illinois small businesses.

Congress provided tax benefits for business losses in the CARES Act to help offset economic challenges during the pandemic. Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to undo that relief to raise revenue for Illinois.

Combined state and federal income taxes would have small businesses pay more than 50% of their top-end income in taxes.

Despite the hardships small businesses face from COVID-19 restrictions, Pritzker continues to push for a tax increase on them.

Pritzker’s progressive income tax amendment would hurt small, minority-owned businesses the most.