North Cook News

Jillian Rose Bernas, the Republican candidate for the 56th House seat, told North Cook News that legislators should delay new spending until “their fiscal house is in order.”  

Bernas made her remarks after an Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) report showed the progressive income tax championed by Democrat gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker would require an estimated $13 billion to $18 billion income tax hike.

Bernas called Pritzker’s plan to replace the current flat income tax system with a progressive income tax “irresponsible” especially given that “recent budgets have been unbalanced and no reforms to spending have been introduced.”

Rep. Michelle Mussman

But tax increases are almost certain under Pritzker’s plan, IPI states. The current income tax rate of 4.95 percent would jump to between 8.51 percent and 9.95 percent, translating into $2,500 to $3,500 annually in higher income taxes for families earning around $80,000.

An increase that drastic could have a chilling effect on the economy, IPI states. Around 100,000 jobs could be lost, taking with them $22.4 billion to $31.3 billion in economic activity.

Bernas said the higher costs are a symptom of having one party control the Illinois General Assembly.

“You would think that with all of the tax revenue and alignment of interests in the General Assembly that Illinois would be the top-performing state in the nation,” she said. “Sadly, we are one of the worst performing states. This tells me that reforms are needed over always asking people for more money.”

On the campaign trail, Bernas said she has not met anyone who is excited about the prospect of seeing an additional chunk of their paychecks go toward higher taxes.

“People in my community cannot pay any more taxes,” she said. “Pritzker and (Rep. Michelle) Mussman are proposing spending that means taxes will need to be increased. I am going to Springfield to make sure that reforms are prioritized so that people can keep their homes, and businesses can keep jobs in Illinois.”

Bernas is running against Mussman in November's general election. 

The 56th District includes Cook and DuPage County.