Prairie State Wire

Republican state House candidate Peter Breen is hoping Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s dogged push for his progressive tax plan will finally move Illinois voters to action.  

“Nearly every neutral observer agrees the hike would be devastating for state,” Breen told the Prairie State Wire. “I just hope taxpayers are listening, and I hope they’re looking at the way Rep. Terra Costa-Howard promised to vote against the tax than went back on her word after getting to Springfield even though the brunt of the tax will fall on many of the folks that live within her district.

Now running against Costa-Howard in the 48th District, Breen is warning that the progressive tax plan Pritzker has been selling since his days on the campaign trial only sets up for more struggle. A new report by the Tax Foundation details how if the measure passes, Illinois’ overall ranking for business competitiveness would tumble all the way down to 47th in the U.S., ahead of only New Jersey, California and New York.

Breen argues lawmakers in Springfield have become their worst enemy in terms of putting the state’s finances in order based on some of their actions.

“Small businesses are the backbone of state economy and must lead the recovery after COVID, but democrats’ actions in pushing this graduated tax would devastate small businesses across the entire state,” he said.

Given all its ongoing struggles, Breen argues is the last thing the cash-strapped state needs going forward.  

“Illinois is already considered one of the worse places in the country to start and run a small business and this report is just more evidence that the graduated tax hike would be devastating for our economy and the job climate,” he said.