Ammons Pushes for Fair Tax Amendment, Tax Relief for Middle-Class Families

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, is supporting a Fair Tax plan that will balance the budget and fund lifesaving services by making the wealthy pay their fair share – all while cutting taxes for 99% of local residents and preventing future tax hikes on the middle class.

“Illinois’ middle class is being squeezed out of existence because they unfairly pay more in taxes than the wealthy,” said Ammons. “A Fair Tax would provide the necessary relief for a vast majority of taxpayers, and will also help stabilize Illinois’ finances and economy, further mandating the rich pay their fair share.”

Currently, Illinois law mandates a regressive flat tax that has unfairly burdened middle-class families. As a result of this mandate, hardworking families pay nearly 13 percent of their income in taxes, while the wealthiest pay half that amount.

Under the Ammons-backed Fair Tax plan, 99% of Champaign-Urbana area taxpayers would see lower income taxes, while also receiving property tax relief and child tax credits. Ammons’ plan would generate more than $3 billion in new revenue by requiring high-income earners to pay their fair share and help fund critical health care services, senior care, jobs, infrastructure and education at all levels.

Ammons is a member of the House Progressive Caucus, which advocates for the enactment of progressive reforms designed to lift people out of poverty and increase investments into health care and public schools and colleges. Among a long list of reforms, the Fair Tax is a top priority for Ammons and this caucus.

“A Fair Tax is about fairness for the middle class and for Illinois altogether,” said Ammons. “This is the right thing to do, and it is my hope that the General Assembly passes this measure.”