House Rep. Michael Unes (R-East Peoria) believes the graduated income tax proposal is a one-sided bill.
"There is nothing bipartisan about this," Unes said on the House floor during Monday's vote on the new tax structure. Unes said that no Illinoisans should see a tax increase until government can get the economy back on its feet.
"There is no reason for anyone to see one," he said. "Why don’t we continue to work together for real, meaningful reforms?"
State Rep. Michael Unes (R-East Peoria)
Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 1 passed the House on Monday with 73 Yes votes and 44 No votes. It will now be on the November 2020 ballot for Illinois voters to decide.
Every single House Republican voted no on the bill and many businesses and individuals have spoken out about their disapproval of a graduated income tax structure. Critics like Unes suggest that because rates are not nailed down in the amendment, the bill will eventually become a tax on the middle class.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been adamant about his preference for a "fair tax" since running for governor last year.
Alerts Sign-up