Health & Fitness

Tax debate gets personal

GETTING PERSONAL The sponsor of the first bill to allow a progressive income tax system in Illinois last week took aim at the highest profile critic of her effort. Rep. Naomi Jaksobsson, D-Urbana, accused the Illinois Policy Institute of “blanketing the state” with “empty rhetoric interspersed with outright lies” about her amendment. The Illinois Policy Institute responded in kind, publishing a series of "myths" it says progressive tax advocates are spreading. The progressive tax debate is loaded with tension, as I learned moderating a pair of forums on the topic in August and September. My blog today has the latest on how the two sides are battling it out. It's becoming heated, and it'll only get hotter.

HOW WOULD IT WORK? The progressive tax bills in the General Assembly don't contain details of how a graduated-rate income tax would be structured if the state constitution is amended to allow one. The bills only seek permission for lawmakers to consider dropping the flat-rate tax for a progressive system. The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability has proposed one possible scenario. We've got a simplified version in our infographic today, along with a link to a more extensive explanation. Would your taxes go up or down under this scenario? Check and find out here.

SOUND OFF With Illinois' finances in a wreck and lawmakers having compiled a horrid track record for tax revenue management, there's good reason for suspicion about any change to the tax system here. Tell your legislators, Gov. Pat Quinn and the four leaders of the General Assembly that raising taxes shouldn't be an option for fixing the mess they've created. With unemployment the second highest in the nation, Illinois can't afford more reasons for businesses to avoid moving to and expanding in Illinois. Use our Sound Off tool to send a message. We've got one already written or you can write your own. Try it!

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DIRTY WORD: VOUCHER "The word 'voucher' is a dirty word to many teachers and administrators in public schools, but it shouldn't be. With a well-run parental-choice program, elected officials and administrators can significantly reduce the stress on public-school budgets while living up to their obligation to provide great educational opportunities for young people." So writes Kevin P. Chavous, board member of Educational Choice Illinois, in a Wall Street Journal op-ed today. This is among the hottest of hot-button issues in the national education reform debate, in which Chavous has been a prominent participant. He says Chicago students and parents would be among the greatest benefactors of a voucher program. Read it here.

RAUNER'S CHOICE Republican candidate for governor Bruce Rauner today announced Evelyn Pacino Sanguinetti, a lawyer and Wheaton City Council member, as his running mate. We've got more details about Sanguinetti and this selection here.

Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

TODAY'S HEADLINES Here's what's making news in Illinois today:

5. Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau says Illinois’ poverty rate remains close to 15 percent. (Progress Illinois)
4. The Illinois State Board of Education announced a series of education funding hearings around the state. (Associated Press)
3. More on Bruce Rauner's selection for lieutenant governor. (Chicago Sun-Times)
2. Rauner and Gov. Pat Quinn are leading the field of gubernatorial hopefuls when it comes to raising campaign contributions. (Chicago Tribune)
1. Opinion: The new pension plan backed by Senate President John Cullerton could be the answer. (Herald & Review)

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