McHenry Times

A conservative group is concerned about state House District 66 candidate Carolyn Schofield’s support from groups in favor of an income tax increase.

A Liberty Principles PAC flyer highlighted the fact that Schofield has been endorsed by the Illinois Education Association (IEA) teachers union, which is advocating for a state income tax hike.

“Fair Tax legislation is now a top agenda item in Springfield, but we have only until May 4th to convince politicians in Springfield to put it on the November ballot,” IEA stated. “77% of Illinoisians support a Fair Tax, with lower tax rates for lower incomes and higher rates for higher incomes.”

The flyer also quoted the Daily Herald as stating, “(Schofield) vows to find a way to find common ground with Democrats,” before questioning whether the “common ground” was raising the income tax.

Schofield served 10 years on the Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission before being elected to the Crystal Lake City Council in 2009. She was elected to the McHenry County Board in 2012 and currently chairs the county's Planning and Development Committee. She is also vice chair of the Natural and Environmental Resources Committee, chair of the Township Consolidation and Census Demographics Task Forces, vice chair of the Stormwater Commission, and liaison to the McHenry County Conservation District.

The Liberty Principles PAC’s flyer pulled quotes from the Northwest Herald regarding Schofield’s leadership as chair of the consolidation task force:

“That fiasco was a huge disappointment because the task force did nothing to seek a true cost analysis on township consolidation," the paper said.

In a Chicago Tribune questionnaire, Schofield said a tax increase would be inevitable if the state doesn't become more competitive and focus on creating more jobs.

“If elected, I will do everything in my power to create jobs and grow the Illinois economy, so that budgets can be balanced without a tax increase,” Schofield said.

Schofield is running against Paul Serwatka, Dan Wilbrandt and Allen Skillicorn in the Republican primary.