Peoria Standard

House Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) said Monday that Illinois' policies continue to drive people out of the state.

"The Democrats have controlled one or both chambers of this legislative branch of government in 44 out of the 50 years," Butler said on the House floor.

Butler said for the last 16 years, Democrats have controlled both chambers.

"What we’ve seen is what we continue to see: driving people out of this state," Butler said. "We should be a power house because we’re centrally located. But no, we institute time and time again policies that drive people from this state."

Butler said the graduated income tax proposal is another of those policies.

"If we spend as much time creating an economic climate in this state and being attractive as we do on spending money, things would turn around in Illinois," Butler said. "People continue to leave Illinois."

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 Republican voted no on the bill.

Many businesses and individuals have spoken out about their disapproval of a graduated income tax structure. Critics of the structure suggest because rates aren't nailed down in the amendment that it will eventually be 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.