May 4 Update to Original April 29 Post: We were extremely disappointed that members of the Illinois House of Representatives adjourned without considering HJRCA 59, the Fair Tax amendment. With the deadline to get the measure on the ballot having come and gone, voters will not get to weigh in on whether they want the option of a Fair Tax to be part of the Illinois revenue system.
A Fair Tax is an important tool the state leaders have now abandoned, but fortunately there are an array of revenue options that remain for the Governor and General Assembly to choose from.
The need for a fully funded budget for this year and beyond remains an urgent priority for families, communities, and small businesses. The Governor and lawmakers must put aside non-budget agendas and pass a budget that chooses revenue over cuts to vital services immediately.
For more information, see this press release from the Responsible Budget Coalition.
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Thanks to the Citizens for Tax Reform campaign, we are closer than we’ve ever been before to passing a Fair Tax! Both the House and Senate will be voting on Fair Tax legislation next week, so we really need you to let your legislators know you support a Fair Tax right now. The Fair Tax Constitutional Amendment must pass by May 5th in order to get on the ballot in November.
We must use this opportunity to get the Fair Tax referendum on the ballot and also ensure that 99% of hardworking Illinoisans receive a tax cut!
Please take a minute to contact your state legislators to ask them to support the Fair Tax by voting for House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 59 to get the referendum on the November ballot and House Bill 689, which sets income tax rates for a Fair Tax in Illinois.
As you know, Illinois is only one of a handful of states that does not allow for a Fair Tax, one where those with lower incomes pay lower rates and those with higher incomes pay higher rates. It’s long past time to ensure that everyone pays their fair share here in Illinois. This is a common sense step that will help fund education, public safety and other vital services that we rely on in our state, such as creating affordable housing and ending homelessness.
It’s time to get this done. Click here to email your legislator today and demand that they support a tax cut for working families!