Connor Backs Legislation to Block Tax Increase for Working Families

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, is supporting a measure to extend the standard income tax exemption for working families that is set to expire at the end of this fiscal year.

“Governor Rauner is relying on revenue that would come from the sunset of this exemption to balance his budget proposal,” Connor said. “I refuse to allow him to fill the holes in his budget with a tax increase for the middle-class. Passing this measure to extend the income tax exemption would protect working men and women from carrying that burden.”

Rauner’s budget proposal assumes the sunset of the standard income tax exemption in his revenue estimates, resulting in a tax increase for working men and women to fund the state budget. Senate Bill 1437 would extend the current rate for the tax exemption that families are currently receiving, allowing Illinois residents to continue to save money each year. Without an extension, the standard income tax deduction would fall from $2,175 to $2,000.

“One of the first votes I took as a state representative was in opposition to an income tax increase,” Connor said. “We should not recklessly balance the budget on the backs of middle-class families.”

Senate Bill 1437 was referred to the House Revenue and Finance Committee last week. For more information on this legislation and other bills sponsored by Connor, please contact his constituent service office at 815-372-0085 or RepConnor@gmail.com.