House Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) called the graduated income tax proposal an "anti-growth" bill while speaking on the House floor Monday during the session.
"Democrats of Illinois have an insatiable appetite for spending," Batinick said. "It will never be satisfied—never be enough."
Batinick said for five years he has seen a parade of anti-growth bills.
"These anti-growth bills don’t just make it more expensive to do business in this state," Batinick said. "We have an inability to manage our finances. This issue isn’t more taxes."
Batinick said the Democrats' plan is to tax more of a shrinking pie.
"The Republicans want to grow that pie," Batinick said. "This isn’t about fixing our biggest concern: pensions."
Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 1 passed the House on Monday with 73 yes votes and 44 no votes. It will now be on the November 2020 ballot for Illinois voters to decide. Every single Republican voted no on the bill.
Many businesses and individuals have spoken out about their disapproval of a graduated income tax structure. Critics of the structure suggest because rates aren't nailed down in the amendment that it will eventually be a tax on the middle class.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been adamant about his preference for a "fair tax" since running for governor last year.
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