McHenry Times

Illinois state Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) thinks this could just be the beginning of the end for Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” proposal.

“Once more of the public understands what it’s truly about, more people will oppose it,” Ugaste told the Kane County Reporter in response to news that nearly half of all Illinoisans who plan to vote in next November’s general election are now as less confident in Pritzker’s progressive tax plan than they’ve ever been.

Illinois Policy Institute reports that a poll commissioned by Ideas Illinois finds exactly 46 percent of all respondents now agree that such a plan amounts to “just a blank check for Springfield politicians” and will “hurt Illinois’ economy and force businesses to leave the state.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker

Overall, support for Pritker’s progressive tax plan has also waned from 59 to 51 percent over the last several months, with a referendum question on the issue looming on the ballot in 2020. Sixty percent approval from voters will be needed to change the state's tax system from a flat tax to a progressive tax, also called a graduated income tax.

“I think once people understand the history of how things have been handled with income taxes and how things have shown based on what’s happened, that they’re never being told the whole story, that will be it,” Ugaste said. “If it becomes law and Democrats are still in control, the increase in taxes will be well beyond just the wealthy they point to. They’ve increased spending this year and I have a feeling it will mean a continual increase for everyone in the near future.”