Will County Gazette

Veteran Illinois state Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) thinks there’s a method to the madness in Gov. J.B. Pritzker so religiously pushing his progressive income tax proposal.

“I think this is going to be a central piece in his run for president,” McDermed told the Will County Gazette. “It’s why he’s so all in with this and won’t be stopping anytime soon.”

As of now, the Chicago Tribune reports Pritzker has donated some $56.5 million to a ballot initiative committee working to get the tax passed in November. The staggering contributions to the Vote Yes to Fairness committee make him the only individual to have contributed more than $250 to the committee, which was started by one of his former deputies.

“Besides needing to oppose this because its bad legislation, my advice to every Illinois resident is to watch all of this closely because if this tax passes the middle-class will wind up paying for every democratic project they think will get them elected to the next cycle,” she said. “Instead of having budgets based on income, we’ll be seeing budgets based on what lawmakers think will get them what they want for their careers.”

Through it all, the governor has sought to sell the tax as a change that will only mean higher rates for the state’s most affluent residents. Voters will finally have their say in November’s general election, where approval from 60% of those who vote on the issue or a majority of those who vote in the election overall is needed for passage.

Between now and Election Day, McDermed said she is committed to educating as many voters as she can about what sees as the evils of the legislation.

“If this thing passes, I say hold onto your pocketbook,” she said. “There’s a reason why the governor doesn’t have many of his assets in this state. He knows taxes are already too much.”