League of Women Voters of IL Supports a Fair and Graduated Rate Income Tax

The non-partisan League of Women Voters of Illinois and its 44 local affiliates across the state support a fair and graduated rate income tax; a revenue system that will help to stabilize the state's financial situation in the long run and put money back in the pockets of middle income families.  In addition to its position on fiscal policy which supports a diversified revenue system that is equitable, progressive, stable, responsive, and simple, the League believes it is important for citizens to have a say in how they are governed and taxed.

For this to happen, Illinois legislators must vote by May 2014 to put the referendum on the November ballot for consideration. Then the citizens decide. The League believes this is the right thing to do. 

Polling shows 77% of Illinois citizens favor changing to a graduated tax system. Current constitutional language must be changed to remove the requirement of a flat tax to allow taxing ‘higher income at a higher rate and lower income at a lower rate’. Illinois needs to tax where economic growth is occurring, and the lower and middle classes have not experienced economic growth the way the top 10% have.  The League agrees that we need to stimulate economic growth, but that won’t happen until we put money back in the pockets of the middle class.  A fairer tax will do that.

For these reasons, the League of Women Voters of Illinois and the six Leagues in DuPage County, request that County Board members vote no to the resolution before the Legislative Committee and the full County Board that states the County will oppose legislative action to put the proposed amendment on the ballot. The citizens of DuPage should not be misrepresented in this way.  Rather, they should be allowed to voice their own opinion on this issue in November when the ballot initiative is before them. County lobbying resources should not be used to usurp the power of the people of this County when they have not asked for the County's involvement and have not been involved in this decision.  County Board Members were not elected to weigh in on our behalf on Constitutional questions, but to do the business of the County.

We join the A Better Illinois Coalition in urging all legislators to vote for the amendment to be placed on the November 2014 ballot.  Citizens can learn more by visiting the League of Women Voters of Illinois website (www.lwvil.org) and get more involved in this issue by visiting A Better Illinois coalition website (www.abetterillinois.org).  Your local League of Women Voters leaders would also welcome your questions and involvement.

Signed this day, February 11, 2014

Mary Kubasak, President LWVIL

Hilary Denk & Peggy Healy, Co-Presidents, LWV Downers Grove/Lisle/Woodridge

Sue Whitworth, President, LWV Elmhurst

Jayne Boeckelman, President, LWV Glen Ellyn

Mary Wright, President, LWV Naperville

Diana Hoke, President, LWV Roselle Bloomingdale

Missey Wilhelm, President, LWV Wheaton