North Cook News

Katie Miller, the Mt. Prospect Republican vying for the seat in the 53rd House District, is running for office with one thing in mind: lowering taxes.

In light of a series of new tax increase proposals that would impact numerous regions all over the state, Miller told North Cook News that any tax increase – especially income tax increases – will negatively impact the local economy.

“(An) increase in income taxes will burden people in the 53rd District especially after the 32 percent income tax increase that taxpayers received last July,” Miller said. “We need to rein in spending. We can’t keep throwing money at the problems.”

Miller’s comments come during an election season flooded with calls for fiscal responsibility after the Illinois Legislature forced a 32 percent tax increase on individuals and businesses last fall.

An analysis conducted by the Prairie State Wire of data from the state shows that taxpayers are paying more per pupil every year when it comes to education funding. That same analysis, with similar coverage from Chicago City Wire, says  Cook County residents could face over $3.1 billion in new income tax burdens in the coming fiscal year.

“We saw after the income tax increase last summer that Illinois' budget was still not balanced. We need to control the spending,” Miller said, citing the budgetary woes impacting communities all over the state. “I will fight tax increases. I will fight to decrease spending. We have priorities in spending.”

“Illinois needs more revenue but it needs to come from new businesses and that won’t happen until we become a more business-friendly state," Miller said. "We are the only state in the country to have fewer jobs today than we did in 2000. Those jobs equaled revenue. Jobs keep people and could increase the about of people living in Illinois, which would also help revenue.”

Miller presents herself as a community activist who is in touch with the issues of the state

The 53rd House Districts includes part or all of Arlington Height, Mt. Prospect, Prospect Heights and Des Plaines.