Declining home values and a shrinking tax base have created a bigger property tax burden for Harvey, Illinois, homeowners. For their higher taxes, residents get corruption, debt and fewer services.

An amendment to scrap Illinois’ constitutional flat tax protection is gaining sponsors in the Illinois Senate. Lawmakers have refused to discuss rates since those details killed the last progressive tax attempt.

Political promises aren’t much protection for middle class pocketbooks.

While progressive tax proponents champion the measure as a “tax on the rich,” middle-income families in Kane County could see a significant tax hike under the income tax models praised by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

While progressive tax proponents champion the measure as a “tax on the rich,” middle-income families in Arlington Heights would see a massive tax hike under the income tax models praised by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

The proposal would lower all local governments’ property tax levies by 10 percent and then freeze them in Illinois. Any future increase would require voter approval.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is arguing that Illinois should adopt income tax rates similar to neighboring Wisconsin and Iowa as a way to be more “competitive,” even though adopting those rates would mean tax hikes for middle-income families.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker claims his progressive income tax will only affect the rich. But Illinoisans making as little as $26,100 would see an income tax hike under rates Pritzker cited in his budget address.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker claims his progressive income tax will only affect the rich. But using the rates of states he wants to use as models, middle-income Illinoisans would see significant tax hikes.