CHARLES, Ill. – As a part of her efforts to continue conversations about the Fair Tax with local families, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, recently partnered with Ralph Martire, Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, to host a Fair Tax Town Hall.

“During my time in Springfield I have demanded change for our families, and fought to put Illinois on firmer financial footing moving forward. I proudly supported the Fair Tax to fix our broken tax system that puts too much of a burden on middle-class families,” said Villa. “I will continue hosting Fair Tax Town Halls throughout our communities to help educate residents about the ballot initiative Illinoisans will ultimately have to support before the Fair Tax becomes law. I want to thank the area residents that stopped by my Fair Tax Town Hall to share their thoughts on this proposal, and discuss the impact that it will have on local families.”

Villa invited local residents to join her and Ralph Martire, Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, for their Fair Tax Town Hall to discuss initiatives to move Illinois forward and learn about the impact the Fair Tax would have on area residents.

“There is much more work to be done to get Illinois back on the right track, but the Fair Tax will help to address Illinois’ dire financial situation by calling on millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share,” continued Villa. “I look forward to hosting more Fair Tax Town Halls throughout our area, and having continued discussions with local residents and community leaders on ways we can work together to keep moving Illinois in the right direction.”

ST. CHARLES, Ill. – To discuss the impact the Fair Tax reforms would have on local families, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is partnering with Ralph Martire, Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, to host a Fair Tax Town Hall.

“During my first session in Springfield, I worked to pass real reforms to put Illinois on firm financial footing by fixing our broken tax system,” said Villa. “I am committed to building a stronger Illinois by building a stronger middle class, and that begins with ensuring the wealthy pay their fair share.”

Villa is inviting local residents to join her for her Fair Tax Town Hall to discuss initiatives to move Illinois forward and learn about the impact the Fair Tax would have on area residents.

“After years of crisis, Illinois simply cannot afford any more devastating cuts to education and essential services that our most vulnerable residents rely upon, like the Autism Program and Meals on Wheels,” continued Villa. “I supported the Fair Tax to put Illinois on a more positive path, and I look forward to discussing this issue at my Fair Tax Town Hall. I hope to see you there!”

WHO: State Rep. Karina Villa
Ralph Martire, Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability

WHAT: Fair Tax Town Hall

WHEN: Wednesday, July 17
7:00 p.m.

WHERE: St. Charles Municipal Building
8 N. Riverside Ave.
St. Charles, IL 60174

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – State Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, is thanking residents who attended a town hall meeting Wednesday evening to discuss the Fair Tax income tax proposal.

“A Fair Tax income tax system is one of the biggest issues to come out of the General Assembly this past session,” Walker said. “It’s really important residents are aware of the facts on the Fair Tax plan, which is why I was glad to see so many attendees at our event.”

Walker was also joined by state Sen. Ann Gillespie, D-Arlington Heights, and Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. As was explained during the town hall, a fair, or progressive, income tax system would change Illinois’ current flat rate tax system to a tiered rate structure like the tax brackets used by the federal government and 34 other states. Under the proposed plan, those making $250,000 or less will pay either the same rate or a lower rate.

“It’s been a top priority of mine to right Illinois’ fiscal ship while also providing real tax relief for those who most need it,” Walker said. “A Fair Tax system will cut taxes for 95% of residents in my district, including most of our small businesses, all while collecting an estimated $3 billion a year in new revenue that will allow us to better invest in education, infrastructure and other priorities while addressing our state’s fiscal challenges. That’s a win-win to me.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – State Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, and state Sen. Ann Gillespie, D-Arlington Heights, will host a town hall on the Fair Tax plan recently passed by the General Assembly on Wednesday, June 12 at 7 p.m. at the Arlington Heights School District 25 Administration Building, located at 1200 S. Dunton Ave. in Arlington Heights.

“A Fair Tax system has been an integral part of our plans to pay down our debts, invest in education and critical social services, and create an economy in Illinois that works for everyone,” Walker said. “Now that spring session is over, Sen. Gillspie and I want to ensure our residents are informed about a graduated income tax system and how it can impact their lives as well as the state’s fiscal stability.”

Walker and Gillespie will be joined by Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability – a bipartisan think tank working across ideological lines to promote social and economic justice. Martire will present on the Fair Tax plan and its potential impacts on the state’s economy and fiscal health. After his presentation, attendees will be able to ask Walker, Gillespie and Martire questions and voice their opinions on the Fair Tax plan.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In the closing days of this year’s spring legislative session, state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, backed an effort to establish the Fair Tax income tax rates if Illinois voters support a constitutional referendum in the 2020 General Election to adopt a new income tax structure.

“I’m very pleased the House and the Senate voted on the proposed tax brackets for a graduated income tax,” Walker said. “Our current flat tax system is regressive; it places a greater tax burden on working and middle class families than it does the highest earners in our state. I support these tax rates because they mean tax relief for 95% of my district, including most of our business owners.”

The rates passed by the General Assembly include graduated tax brackets similar to the federal government’s tax structure. Under the new rates, a typical household filing jointly will see the first $10,000 of their income taxed at 4.7%, followed by a 4.90% rate for incomes between $10,000 and $100,000. Income between $100,000 and $250,000 would be taxed at 4.95% – the current flat tax rate. After $250,000, income taxes will rise to 7.75%. Those who make over half a million will see a rate of 7.85%. Net income for an earner who makes over a million will be taxed at 7.99%.

Walker stressed that these rates are not currently in effect and will only become law if voters approve an amendment allowing for a graduated income tax structure. Gov. J.B. Pritzker approved the rate legislation, Senate Bill 687, on Wednesday.

“It’s no question that we need put Illinois back on the right fiscal path, and I believe that investing in our working families by lowering their tax burden is a great way to do that,” Walker said. “While not the answer to all of our financial concerns, a graduated income tax will go a long way to fund critical social services and meet our fiscal obligations.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Yehiel “Mark” Kalish, D-Chicago, worked to enact a fair tax and provide relief for middle class families, demand equal pay for women, and ensure access to quality health care during the spring legislative session.

Kalish backed a Fair Tax system for Illinois, giving Illinois residents the opportunity to vote to provide relief for 97% of taxpayers. Under the state’s current flat tax, middle-class families bear too much of a burden. The Fair Tax Kalish passed ensures the state can balance budgets and hold the line on middle-class taxes by making the wealthiest pay a little more to fund critical services like schools, health care and senior services.

Additionally, Kalish backed a balanced budget that pays down over a billion dollars in old bills, invests $375 million in our local school, fully funds critical state services, meets our full pension obligation and hold the line on middle-class taxes.

“Our current structure helps the ultra-wealthy skirt paying their fair share, while putting the burden squarely on the backs of families in our community,” Kalish said. “A Fair Tax levels the playing field, fully funds our local schools and critical services, balances the budget, and pays down our state’s backlog of bills—while offering tax relief for those most in need.”

To fight against the prejudicial and unfair wages that women have faced in the past, Kalish sponsored and helped pass the Equal Pay Act, House Bill 834, which bars companies from requiring applicants to submit previous salary history and locking women into a lifetime of reduced pay by doubling-down on prejudicial and unfair wages in the past. Additionally, Kalish backed a measure that prohibits gender discrimination in the workplace, House Bill 252, and legislation that cracks down on sexual harassment in the workplace, Senate Bill 1588. Kalish was also the chief sponsor of a proposal, House Bill 92, which prohibits a police officer from arresting a victim of sexual assault who is seeking medical attention, and clarifies to victims of sexual assault that law enforcement prioritizes bringing sexual abusers to justice.

“As a father and husband, I fight each day to ensure that my daughter and wife have the same opportunities afforded to their male peers,” Kalish said. “Women who are doing the same work as men deserve to be paid at the same rate, and they should have the right to work in an environment free of harassment.”

While access to quality health care remains under attack by extreme Washington politicians, Kalish helped lead the fight to preserve access to affordable care for our families.  Kalish passed legislation, Senate Bill 2026, which protects health care for millions of Illinoisans with pre-existing conditions. To lower skyrocketing medical costs burdening working families, Kalish supported legislation, House Bill 471, to stop double-digit premiums and a measure, House Bill 156, to cut the cost of prescription drugs. 

 “As Washington politicians are fighting to take away our health care, it’s vital that we enact protections at the state level to preserve access to care for our families,” Kalish said. “No one should be denied care because they have a pre-existing condition or forego lifesaving medication because of skyrocketing costs. The well-being of our families should always come first.

“During my first session we passed real, progressive reforms that put Illinois on a better path. While these accomplishments are important, there is much more work to be done. I will continue my commitment to ensure that our families have access to quality healthcare, our children receive the educational opportunities they deserve, and to build an economy that puts middle-class families first.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – After the final day of session, state Rep. Curtis Tarver, D-Chicago, discussed the accomplishments from his first legislative session as state Representative and the work he looks forward to next year.

“Illinois is one of just a handful of states that taxes the wealthy at the same rate as the poor, meaning a much larger portion of a working person’s check will go to the government than a millionaire’s,” Tarver said. “For years there have been efforts to make Illinois’ tax system work better for everyday people. This week, I voted to put a Fair Tax Constitutional Amendment on the ballot that will keep rates the same, or provide relief, for 98% of my district – keeping more money in the pockets of folks who need it most.”

Advocating for greater access to quality education, Tarver introduced legislation this year that would establish a higher minimum wage for teachers and supported an initiative that would require children to start kindergarten sooner in an effort to close the educational attainment gap down the road. However, one of the biggest challenges to receiving a good education is the woefully inadequate level of funding for Chicago Public Schools.

“I voted to send a bill legalizing marijuana for adult recreational use to the governor. My hope is that the revenue goes exactly where it was promised – to our schools and to the communities that have been harmed the most by over-policing and selective enforcement of the law, which has led to the incarceration of so many people from my district for possessing even small amounts of cannabis,” Tarver said. “One of the first bills I introduced into the General Assembly would automatically expunge the records of people who’ve been convicted of marijuana possession. Under the initiative to legalize cannabis that passed the House this week, families will be reunited. People will be given a second chance at opportunities that seemed impossible just months ago.

“It’s incredibly difficult for a person who has been incarcerated to rebuild their lives. They’ve paid their debt to society and yet they remain locked out of opportunities for jobs, school and even a place to live,” Tarver said. “I’m looking forward to continuing my work to ease restrictions for professional licensing and to prevent landlords from denying to rent or sell property to an individual simply based on an arrest or a criminal record that’s been expunged or sealed.”

“The balanced budget I voted for this year includes our full pension payment, spending to pay down the backlog of bills and funding for our schools, healthcare and social services. This successful spending plan is a huge step towards repairing the long-lasting damage caused by the budget crisis and builds upon the progress made throughout this legislative session.

“As the chair of the House Mental Health Committee, I am so proud of the work that’s been done this year to raise awareness and provide access to treatment. I passed legislation that expands insurance coverage for care that integrates mental wellness with primary care to treat anxiety, depression and other common mental illnesses holistically. Students from kindergarten to college will have increased instruction and information about mental health, breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness and encouraging young people to seek the help that they need.

“I passed legislation to provide protections for organ donors with unanimous support, because a person who chooses to give the gift of life to a loved one shouldn’t face retaliation from their employer or insurance company. Bills that I sponsored, including initiatives to reduce the devastating impacts of the opioid crisis and increase the use of water safety features, preventing children in Illinois from suffering the same fate as a baby in my district whose tragic death was a result of scalding bathwater, are headed to the governor’s office to be signed into law.

“This year, great strides were made to ensure women are treated equally at work and under the eyes of the law. As co-chair of the Illinois House Democratic Women’s Caucus, it’s been my priority to equip women in the workforce, from the Capitol to all corners of the state, with the tools, knowledge and rights they need to stop sexual harassment. I supported legislation requiring sex education classes to teach students about consent and to make certain that employers are paying women based on the quality of their work, not their gender. This week the General Assembly made history by voting to protect a woman’s right to make her own reproductive health choices regardless of decisions being made in Washington.

“There is much work left to be done to build a stronger Illinois economy where middle-class families can thrive. I supported a Fair Tax amendment that will benefit 99% of people in our community while holding the wealthiest accountable to paying their fair share, but we desperately need comprehensive property tax reform. Although we passed a measure to raise the minimum wage, Illinois has a serious shortage of people trained for high-paying jobs. I look forward to advocating for property tax relief, increased access to career training and educational opportunities and bringing down the cost of health care over the summer with input from my neighbors in the 46th District.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Following the end of legislative session this weekend, state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, released the following statement:

“One month after I had the honor of becoming state Representative, the House voted to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. This was just one of the major steps forward that the General Assembly took this year to make Illinois a state where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

“Over the past few months, I’ve introduced legislation to expand access to quality early childhood education, crack down on predatory lenders seeking to take advantage of vulnerable people and to make our streets safer by investing in communities that have been left behind for far too long. Bills I sponsored to remove barriers to housing and job opportunities faced by individuals who’ve committed nonviolent crimes, and to protect victims of violent crime and sexual assault, now await the Governor’s signature.

“After years of hard work by advocates that have been devastated by the impact of the War on Drugs on black neighborhoods, the General Assembly voted to legalize marijuana and expunge the records of people who have languished in prison simply for possessing cannabis. While provisions of the bill that increase investment in our neighborhoods and ensure minority-owned businesses are included in the new cannabis industry and are a good start, I will continue advocating to expand opportunities for individuals who’ve been impacted most by the criminalization of drugs and heal our community.

“Voters will have a historic opportunity next year to amend our constitution and implement a Fair Tax system that will allow 97% of people statewide to pay less than or equal to what they owe now, while raising critical funds for investment in our schools, infrastructure and social services.

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, but my true focus is on the work left to be done. We have got to make investments in our roads, bridges and public transportation a priority. While the capital bill that will be signed into law is a good start, it will take years of effort to make our infrastructure safe and conducive to a growing economy. Opportunities for minority-owned businesses must be expanded to create jobs in the communities that need them most. To give the children of our city the quality education they deserve, we must continue fighting for an elected school board that is truly accountable to the people, not politicians or wealthy donors.

“I’m looking forward to discussing my priorities and gaining new ideas through conversations with residents of the 26th District this summer.”

GURNEE, Ill. – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, held a Fair Tax Informational Session at the Warren-Newport Public Library on Thursday. The Fair Tax Informational Session was hosted in coordination with Northwest Lake County League of Women Voters, and featured Ralph Martire, a representative from the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, a bipartisan think-tank that promotes fiscal responsibility.

“There has been a lot of misinformation disseminated throughout our communities about the details of the Fair Tax proposal, and what the measure seeks to accomplish. I wanted to host an event where residents can ask questions about the Fair Tax and know they are going to get honest, factual answers,” said Mason. “Imposing the Fair Tax at the agreed upon rates will deliver tax relief to 97% of Illinois tax payers, and I am proud to support a measure that provides that level of relief; however, I know this proposal does not address our broken property tax system, and I will continue to fight for a comprehensive proposal that delivers real property tax relief to the middle class.”

Mason’s Fair Tax Informational Session covered a variety of topics, including information on income equality, the difference between a flat and graduated tax system, the state’s structural deficit and the state’s pension ramp. To find additional information about the Fair Tax, please contact Mason’s constituent service office by calling 847-485-9986 or emailing info@repjoycemason.com.

“Governor Pritzker’s proposal, to create what he calls a fair tax, is in fact a fair tax. It comports with sound principles of tax policy” said Ralph Martire, of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. “And it’s sorely needed in a state like Illinois that’s been cutting its expenditures on core services for decades.”