Walsh Pushes for Tax Credits for Union Members

JOLIET, Ill. –State Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., D-Elwood, is cosponsoring legislation to give back tax credits to working and middle class families removed by the U.S. Congress.

“Folks who are working for a living counts on these tax credits as part of their financial planning,” said Walsh. “As a proud union member, I know firsthand that unions provide the representation to ensure a living wage and quality healthcare, and the expenses to have that support should be counted as a tax deduction for working families.”

HB 5521, backed by Walsh, creates a state income tax deduction for union dues when there is not one at the federal level. All union dues were previously tax deductible on federal income taxes, but the new Republican tax plan removed most of these tax deductions. HB 5521 replaces the tax breaks taken away from by congress by allowing any individual paying union dues to write off the full amount on their state taxes.

“We need to be helping our families here in Illinois, and by helping people keep more money in their pockets, we can grow our state economy,” Walsh said. “It’s the folks that are working every day that deserve the tax breaks, and if the federal government won’t help them, Illinois will.”