North Cook News

Cook County Board Commissioner Sean Morrison is in disbelief that the Democratic leadership is having talks about renewing the failed progressive tax plan that voters rejected in November.

"Residents of Illinois have spoken; they want policies that reign in ramped spending and demand more fiscal restraint," the Republican commissioner told North Cook News. "I cannot imagine a scenario whereby further taxing Illinois residents before effectuating real proven fiscal reforms will be successful."

In November, voters overwhelmingly shot down a similar financial proposal when the initiative gained approximately 47% of the 60% support it needed to pass.

The measure failed despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker pumping millions of dollars of his money into a campaign designed to get the tax to pass.

This time around, new Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) said the tax revenues generated would go toward paying down the state's $141 billion pension fund debt.

"Yes, I am surprised by the speaker's comments. The tax increase resolution lost by six basis points. Both Republicans and Democratic voters alike understand that increasing taxes to pay for four decades of gross fiscal mismanagement is egregious," Morrison said. "Residents of Illinois understand that the increase in taxes is to pay off enormous debt and will not do one thing to better the lives of Illinois working-class families."

Morrison said he doesn't expect Welch's vow about most of the added revenues being used for pensions to sway many voters, given the state's history of saying one thing and doing another, especially concerning taxes.

"It is not a matter of trust. It's a matter of proven history," Morrison said. "Our current history of one-party rule fiscal policies is what has created the current debacle."