•May 20, 2020•
By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

The only major, contested issue on the ballot this fall in our Blue State will be whether to enact Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed constitutional amendment to allow graduated income tax rates. I think the Pritzker approach — not the concept — is wrong-headed. I try to explain here.
Background. Throughout this century, Illinois has each year been spending and obligating billions more than we have been generating in revenues. So now, each of Illinois’ 4.6 million households would have to cough up $41,000 to get our state out of its deficit position of $188 billion, according to figures from the Illinois comptroller.
Painful to say, Illinois will have to raise taxes, or someday default on its obligations. Why can’t we simply cut spending, you ask? In practical terms, we aren’t allowed to cut the big-ticket items.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.