Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Illinois GOP Pushes to Roll Back Tax

Illinois Republicans are amping up their push to repeal Illinois' income tax hike, which increased from 3% to 5% one year ago.

Republican legislative leaders marked the one-year anniversary of the increase by stacking $1,000 worth of groceries. They said that's the average amount Illinois families are paying in additional taxes since the increase.

"It's real money out of people's pockets, and we can't forget that," said Senate Minority leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont).

Radogno said even though the tax increase is scheduled to be rolled back in 2015, state spending is so high it will have to be made permanent. Radogno said Illinois needs to come up with more spending cuts.

Representative Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook) agreed with that point, though she added the GOP talks a good game but doesn't follow through at the capitol.

"I don't see that, frankly, that the minority party is helping at all in identifying those cuts," Nekritz said. "When the governor tried to close down some facilities, Republicans refused to support that."

Nekritz said she realizes the tax hike is difficult on families. But the other option is deeper cuts to the state budget, which she said would have been even more painful.

Thanks to Illinois Public Radio

Rich is TSPR's News Director.