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

Gov. J.B. Pritzker claims his progressive income tax will only affect the rich. But the typical Illinois family would face $3,500 in tax hikes to pay for Pritzker's spending promises.

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.

Pritzker’s first budget address exalted the graduated income tax as a solution to the state’s fiscal problems. Despite evidence to the contrary, the governor is urging state lawmakers to speedily advance the measure.

Getting behind bipartisan budget reform is the kind of bravery Illinoisans deserve from the executive branch. Instead, they’re getting more of the same.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker claims his progressive income tax hike 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’s proposed state budget includes an estimated $19 million to $23 million in new revenue from a statewide tax on plastic bags. Illinois would be the only state in the nation to levy such a tax.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has pointed admiringly to other Midwestern states’ progressive income tax structures, but taxes on the median Illinois family would go up under all of them.