Taxpayers Achieve Another Great Victory Over Springfield Tax Raisers!

CHICAGO–Against great odds, taxpayers emerged triumphant over Springfield tax-raisers, said Jim Tobin, President of National Taxpayers United of Illinois (NTUI), commenting on the Illinois House’s defeat of two proposed increases in the state personal and corporate income taxes of 50 percent and 67 percent.
“This is the 16th year in a row that Illinois taxpayers have defeated attempts to raise the state income tax,” said Tobin, “and as the state’s largest taxpayer organization, we are proud to have played a role these 16 years.”
“Despite the billions of taxpayer dollars pouring into Springfield each year, the state has managed to post huge deficits through out-of-control spending, the biggest culprit being the lavish, gold-plated million-dollar pensions and health care costs of retired government employees.”
“From July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2011, the pensions of retired government employees will have cost Illinois taxpayers $9.3 billion, and their health care benefits another $2.7 billion. Illinois Governor “Slippery” Patrick Quinn (D) pushed hard to foist this $12 billion cost on to Illinois taxpayers, but thanks to courageous legislators of both political parties who voted against this back-breaking state income tax increase, he failed.”
“New state hires should pay into Social Security and save for their own retirement, and government employees should contribute more to their pensions and health care programs. It’s time government employees plan for their retirement, with their own money, just like those working in the private sector.”