Issue Position: Fair Tax Amendment

Issue Position

Carol supports the Fair Tax Amendment to the Illinois Constitution which, if approved by voters, would establish a progressive, graduate income tax for Illinois. The federal government and 35 of the 43 states that have state income taxes use a graduated tax rather than a flat tax. A flat tax puts a greater burden on middle and lower income households. We must restructure the Illinois tax system in order to be able to invest in core priorities such as public education.

Until the fair tax amendment is passed, Carol supports the continuation of the temporary income tax at its current level. Ending this temporary increase now will only drive Illinois further into debt. According to the Illinois Department of Health and Human Services failure to maintain current tax rates could mean that 61,000 at-risk pregnant women would lose support that connects them to prenatal care, 18,000 teens would not have access to after school programs, 13,000 people would not receive assistance at domestic abuse shelters, 2.5 million people would not be served at food pantries, 140,000 people would not receive basic mental health services, and supportive housing and homeless services for more than 13,000 people would end. We need to pass a comprehensive and progressive tax reform, and Carol is committed to that effort.

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