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* As the governor is speaking in Chicago before signing the budget and the income tax rates bill into law…
CHICAGO – Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) released the following statement on Governor Pritzker signing SB687 today:
“For two years in a row, Republicans and Democrats have proven that we can balance the state’s budget with no new taxes on Illinois families. However, the graduated tax rates signed into law today are simply the next step to giving Illinois Democrats a blank check for uncontrolled spending for years to come. Illinois families should remain very wary on the rates that are being ‘promised’ today – as Democrats will continue to come back, year after year, and pickpocket more money from Illinois families and businesses.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 3:43 pm
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Well that didn’t take long, for Republicans to Republican again.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 3:46 pm
The era of good feelings is over already. Keep up the good work of remaining in the super minority.
Comment by Glengarry Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 3:49 pm
Won’t somebody think of the millionaires?
Jim Durkin, proud defender of the 3%, which might end up being the percentage of his caucus in the House if he keeps this up.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 3:51 pm
His Gov did not “pickpocket” anyone. Instead, he spent over $1B in unneeded interest by not paying bills.
Which is worse Durkin?
Comment by I Miss Bentohs Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 3:53 pm
===Democrats will continue to come back, year after year, and pickpocket more money from Illinois families and businesses.===
If Leader Durkin knows this, can see the future, then Leader Durkin probably already knows I’d be is gonna win seats too.
Heck, with that foresight, Leader Durkin shoulda told Rauner he was gonna get smoked in 2018 unless *he* found 60 and 30.
Instead, Leader Durkin aided and abetted Mr. Rauner.
Leader Durkin now has fewer seats then before Bruce Rauner raised his wrong hand and took the oath.
Comptroller Munger lost. Then all the constitutionals stayed in Democratic hands.
Senate? Leader Brady is below that 20 seat level.
All in all, had Leader Durkin used his insight, he coulda stopped the worst drubbing Illinois Republicans had in recent memory.
Instead? Instead, that great Leader Durkin insight has…
“…Democrats will continue to come back, year after year, and pickpocket more money from Illinois families and businesses.”
Yeah. Voters seemed ok when they voted for Pritzker who ran on the progressive income tax.
But, I have no idea what the future holds… unlike Leader Durkin.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 3:58 pm
Not to get into agreement or disagreement with his position, but I like it. He’s providing a strong voice of disagreement with the opposing party and celebrating bipartisan accomplishments at the same time. If he continues to bring a balance of the two to the table when he can, Illinois will be better for it.
Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 3:59 pm
Adding- since the new revenue will be “pick pocketed” from citizens according to the super minority leader, I am sure all of the districts ILGOP will not take any new revenue and just give it back. Right?
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:02 pm
Republicans have to revert back to form quickly after passing tax/fee increases for capital projects. There is the chronically angry base, and they’re in between super-rich anti-union/anti-tax sugar daddies (or mommies).
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:03 pm
Typical scare tactics. But what else are they going to say? The truth - that they don’t want rich people to pay more taxes?
Comment by filmmaker prof Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:05 pm
Well, if Vegas was laying odds on what Durkin says will end up being true, they would 1 to 5
Comment by Pick a Name Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:05 pm
==we can balance the state’s budget with no new taxes on Illinois families.==
Jim must be getting a head start on the 1/1/20 legalization, forgetting about the 16.675 billion in debt racked up during that time.
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:05 pm
/s/ Loved all the budget cuts associated with Governor STD’s (Scheme to Defraud) legislative action.
Random exec approached me at lunch today. Family came to Illinois in the 1850’s. He’s picking out his place in Alabama.
Another friend is conferencing tomorrow with his CPA team to relocate his business out of state.
These are anecdotal stories, but I’m hearing them on a more frequent basis for sure.
Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:10 pm
One day, the GOP will be in charge of a branch of Government again. Having the a tax code with some flexibility is not a bad thing. A flat tax is what had jacked up local taxes. The inability to have a tax system that address market failures and changes in the economy has been to the detriment to all the citizens of Illinois.
Comment by Peoples Republic of Oak Park Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:11 pm
Whoa, brief honeymoon.
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:12 pm
Hearing JB lecture hard working, successful Illinois families, who did not inherit their money and don’t store it off shore, paying their fair share never gets old
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:19 pm
When will this pickpocketing begin.
Honest question.
Can’t see it in 2021, that would be the first year of the graduated tax, so right away 2022? Probably not, an election year. Maybe 2023?
Four years?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:22 pm
==Random exec approached me at lunch today.==
He must be in good health and childless, because Alabama ranks in the bottom five for health care, education and opportunity.
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:24 pm
==Random exec approached me at lunch today. Family came to Illinois in the 1850’s. He’s picking out his place in Alabama.
Another friend is conferencing tomorrow with his CPA team to relocate his business out of state.==
Do they need any help packing?
Comment by Bigtwich Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:26 pm
“Downstate”
Those stories have been told to me the entire Rauner regime. As a fellow downstater, the propaganda for IPI/Raunerism/Proft/Uhlien/Eastern Bloc is strong.
Listen and learn here. I was brainwashed too, thankfully, in large part because of this blog, I can now see straight.
Comment by Southern Illinois Infrastructure Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:27 pm
Meh, this one is on the order of “pay attention to what people do, not what they say.”
Durkin needs to sprint right after playing ball on the budgets. He was people in his own caucus with knives out for him — McSweeney, Skillicorn, Eastern Blocheads — not to mention other “allies” like Schneider, Proft, Katrina’s Double-Secret-Probation Caucus and other professional grievance-strokers.
Not an easy gig. He could use some cover from those business groups he delivered for.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:31 pm
The only people the GOP care about is that top %.
And btw they aren’t pick pocketing the people the people the employers of our government, that until now was spending more than it had. A clear voter choice in 2014 was to implement a millionaires tax. All the democrats did was the will of the people but at the same time cut the majority of the people’s income taxes
Comment by Publius Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:32 pm
===He’s picking out his place in Alabama===
lol
You can’t keep people here who want to move to a state like that. For lots of reasons, most of them pretty obvious.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:32 pm
–Random exec approached me at lunch today. Family came to Illinois in the 1850’s. He’s picking out his place in Alabama.–
That happens a lot with you, random people just sidle up and pour out their hearts about their fears, dreams and family histories.
Be honest - you’re Oprah, aren’t you?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:36 pm
==Random exec approached me at lunch today==
LOL. Sounds credible!
Comment by The Doc Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:39 pm
Downstate ==Another friend is conferencing tomorrow with his CPA team to relocate his business out of state. ==
I hope his CPA team is smart enough to explain to him that relocating his business will not change the Illinois income tax on the income of the business unless he relocates his customers outside Illinois.
Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:40 pm
===He’s picking out his place in Alabama===
If someone is going to feel more comfortable in a state that nearly elected Roy Moore to the Senate (after electing him to the Supreme Court twice, mind you), then that’s a person I don’t really want to be in Illinois.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:40 pm
We need to be able to discern the difference between people’s posturing and what they really need.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:42 pm
Alabama: the South’s South (h/t to who said this first).
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:42 pm
Jim, you and your buddies keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Comment by Fixer Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:43 pm
If the Lord’s didn’t have to pay taxes to the King, they would share more gold with us
…said no serf ever.
Comment by Johnnie F. Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:50 pm
If you don’t think the job creators have already started fleeing Illinois then you haven’t been paying attention for the last several years.
Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:51 pm
===Random exec approached me at lunch today. Family came to Illinois in the 1850’s. He’s picking out his place in Alabama.===
Of all “SEC” with equal “taxing” situations, Alabama is *not* the first choice, it’s the choice just ahead of the very last choice… Mississippi.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:54 pm
–If you don’t think the job creators have already started fleeing Illinois then you haven’t been paying attention for the last several years–
How do you find the time to keep so well-informed with all those random people constantly pestering you with their life histories?
What are you reading? That would be helpful for some of us to catch up to your knowledge base.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:54 pm
“If you don’t think the job creators have already started fleeing Illinois then you haven’t been paying attention for the last several years.”
Job creators? Such a stale talking point. Right wingers are truly intent on shrinking their voter base and losing more.
“Job creators” love Chicago metro so much that we’re perennially first in corporate relocations.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 4:58 pm
Just for kicks, Alabama has a graduated income tax:
2% on the first $500 of taxable income.
4% on taxable income between $501 and $3,000.
5% on all taxable income over $3,000.
When you’re making distinctions in rates between $500 and $3,000 of annual taxable income, you don’t have a state tax problem, you have a citizens’ income problem.
Unless you’re Nick Saban, his staff, and half the Bama roster of um, student/athletes. They do quite well.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:02 pm
Pure political theatre. Durkin probably told jb he would be throwing a quote out weds or Thursday. And they went back to sipping a cold one together .
Comment by Woodstock willy Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:04 pm
Jim - If you’re so concerned about pick-pocketing, why didn’t you call the Dem’s bluff and push for a multi-year rate lock in the legislation? Or tie the lowest and highest brackets together? Or ask for real married tax brackets? Or add inflation indexing? You don’t have to be pro-graduated tax to hedge.
You could have countered with your terms, many of which are reasonable yet would have probably been shot down, then take that as evidence to the people of true intentions. I suppose you still could. Doesn’t seem like you’re interested.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:06 pm
Downstate - Who cares?
Comment by Looking down the Road Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:11 pm
“For two years in a row, Republicans and Democrats have proven that we can balance the state’s budget BECAUSE OF new taxes.”
Comment by Little Changes Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:12 pm
Durkin is terrified that the 3% might lose the middle class shield they have been hiding behind.
Comment by oh? Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:12 pm
==Just for kicks, Alabama has a graduated income tax==
Those Alabama rates should seemed progressive back in the 1930’s.
Alabama’s brackets are not indexed to inflation. Just like Illinois.
Those Alabama rates should seemed progressive back in the 1930’s.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:16 pm
==Hearing JB lecture hard working,==
Kind of like our multi-millionaire former Governor lecturing hard working union members about making too much money, right?
You really are a piece of work and not in a good way.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:21 pm
I’m actually excited that we are going to have a binding referendum on a big issue with an impassioned debate in Illinois for the first time in a long time. I wish we could do it more often.
Comment by Grand Avenue Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:25 pm
–“For two years in a row, Republicans and Democrats have proven that we can balance the state’s budget BECAUSE OF new taxes.”–
LOL, that is true. I guess he forgot about that.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:27 pm
The irony of the “we’re just gonna leave” crowd is they had no problems benefiting from the artificially low State rates for decades and then when politicians actually try to correct the situation and pay the billions in debt (including pensions) while still maintaining some level of services the reaction is we have to get out of here. Real profiles in courage…
Comment by MyTwoCents Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:27 pm
If people didnt complain this blog probably wouldnt exist. In the end Pritzker did a good job for a newcomer. Nobody wants to pay more and if it gets to be too much people can vote with their feet. In the mean time the fiscal stability is good
Comment by Regular democrat Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:33 pm
Most Illinoisans won’t be paying more income tax, but they will be paying more gas taxes and vehicle fees to fund a Durkin supported capital plan.
I’m sure the Chamber and the IMA will continue to employ him as their water boy. He does a good job speaking up for their perceived interests.
Comment by Truthteller Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:36 pm
Poor Durkie. He votes for Rauner rates but CommandoIves has already claimed the lifeboat.
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:52 pm
You can’t take Rauner out of the Governor’s Mansion, but you can’t take the vitriol out of the Illinois Republican Party.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 5:55 pm
“If you don’t think the job creators have already started fleeing Illinois then you haven’t been paying attention for the last several years.”
I have seen plenty of businesses Illinois leave in the Rauner era because they were directly affected by the state’s inability to pay its bills due to Rauner not wanting to pay the states’s bills. If you can tell anecdotal tales, so can I.
Comment by Southern Illinois Infrastructure Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 6:07 pm
Let us turn the “flee the state” thing on its head. A strong arguement can be made that that is because we do not have a progessive income tax. The flat tax has caused a spike in sales and real estate taxes. Want to reduce both and the exodus? Pass the progressive.
Comment by oh? Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 6:39 pm
===Random exec approached me at lunch today. Family came to Illinois in the 1850’s. He’s picking out his place in Alabama.===
Hey, how is Bruce lookin these days? I see he is still spinnin yarns about his ancestors. And I bet you didn’t know Alabama is a lovely seaside village on the Adriatic.
Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 6:43 pm
“Sit down, Durkin.”
Comment by Colin Robinson Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 7:59 pm
Omg, I read this as “Durbin,” and I don’t think I’ve ever had so many questions.
The reality is lamer.
Comment by lakeside Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 8:22 pm
Its not the income, property or sales taxes individually - its the total tax burden. Pritzker knows how to boil a frog.
Comment by Looking down the Road Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 8:28 pm
My income taxes will go down under this proposal. Still won’t vote yes unless pension reform of FUTURE earned benefits is paired with it. Did you see that spiking pensions is back again? That’s unconscionable and a wake up call for anyone who thinks Springfield can be trusted. Praying this electorate isn’t as dumb as I fear they are…
Comment by A non mouse Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 10:22 pm
===Still won’t vote yes unless pension reform of FUTURE earned benefits is paired with it.===
Looks like your voting yes. It’s called tier 2. Here’s a link for you:
https://www.ctpf.org/tier-1-vs-tier-2-pensions
Comment by Person 8 Wednesday, Jun 5, 19 @ 11:12 pm
There are some people so mad at Shee Caw Go and liberal social policies that they will not stay Whether moving helps them or not. We can’t try to keep them because they will never be happy. Our path relies on gaining folks who like life here, even if it costs a little more, such as Georgia filmmakers, high tech, and new college grads attracted by large city amenities and lifestyle.
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jun 6, 19 @ 2:05 am
The spending will out pace the income before the Con Amend takes a foothold. The demand for prop tax freeze/reductions will mandate it. GOP will cite that as a W…Fly the flag.
Comment by theCardinal Thursday, Jun 6, 19 @ 6:37 am
Long time lurker here. Great blog BTW. My 2 cents. Some guys ARE leaving Illinois. LOL. https://www.guns.com/news/2019/06/04/illinois-gun-shop-quits-state-due-to-new-regulations
Comment by SouthSideGT Thursday, Jun 6, 19 @ 7:01 am
Meh, they live in Indiana and their business has a location there, too. Also, that’s Eastern Bloc territory…
Comment by historic66 Thursday, Jun 6, 19 @ 7:36 am
its up to the voters anyway
Comment by foster brooks Thursday, Jun 6, 19 @ 7:38 am
=My income taxes will go down under this proposal. Still won’t vote yes unless pension reform of FUTURE earned benefits is paired with it. Did you see that spiking pensions is back again? That’s unconscionable and a wake up call for anyone who thinks Springfield can be trusted. Praying this electorate isn’t as dumb as I fear they are…=
Speaking of dumb…you won’t take the tax break unless something that happened 8 years ago is done again?
Pure genius strategy- cut your nose off to spite your face.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jun 6, 19 @ 8:15 am
=Some guys ARE leaving Illinois.=
Of course they are, nobody disputes that. You’ll always be able to find examples of people who claim they’ve had “enough” of something and use that as a reason to bail. There were a few saying that about pot in the last week.
But in the same way that we can point to the irate guy who owns a gun shop we can also show any number of companies that have chosen to make the Chicago metro area their corporate home. The benefits we see in that vastly outweigh the number of individuals screaming at the clouds.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jun 6, 19 @ 8:40 am
-Random exec approached me at lunch today. Family came to Illinois in the 1850’s. He’s picking out his place in Alabama.
Another friend is conferencing tomorrow with his CPA team to relocate his business out of state.
These are anecdotal stories, but I’m hearing them on a more frequent basis for sure. -
I don’t doubt that your are. Just like I don’t doubt Rauner thought that hundreds of companies were just waiting to come to Illinois. Intersect Illinois fed themselves off these stories.
I truly believe in Gaki, hungry ghosts.
Feeding off of the anti-Illinois, anti-union, anti-tax, messages and stories
yet never satisfied.
I will start leaving my last bits of food for you.
I will start gathering and leaving out Change of Address cards
I will chip in more in taxes
to relieve your suffering
poor poor hungry ghosts
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jun 6, 19 @ 8:54 am
A Non mouse, if by future benefits you mean benefits that Tier 1 folks will earn between now and retirement, good luck with that. The ILSC has said that the formula is locked is and is part of the contract. Even if we completely throw out the pension clause of the IL constitution, the fact that it was considered part of a contract would make it very likely the SCOTUS would not go along with reducing future Tier 1 benefits. No one REALLY knows until and unless they decide the case, but it seems like a pipe dream to me. The promise was made, the money is owed. We need to stop wasting time on this, it helps no one.
Comment by Perrid Thursday, Jun 6, 19 @ 8:58 am
- He’s picking out his place in Alabama.-
Have fun with that. . .
Coming from a republican that couldn’t wait to get back to Illinois after spending a decade in the south.
Comment by Alabama Thursday, Jun 6, 19 @ 12:31 pm