Sangamon Sun

A recent article published by illinoispolicy.org is calling for an Illinois Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

In Illinois, a state that has been in political turmoil in recent years, there is no way to stop the state’s politicians from raising taxes to support out-of-control spending. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proposed a tax increase of $2.5 billion.

According to illinoispolicy.org, this proposal by Emanuel “illustrates the urgent need for protection for Illinois taxpayers in the form of a tax limitation called a taxpayer bill of rights," the website said. "A taxpayer bill of rights would protect taxpayers by requiring voter approval of increases in taxes and government spending. Moreover, the information required by a taxpayer bill of rights for tax increases and spending ballot initiatives compels government transparency.”

The article published on the Illinois Policy Institute website goes on to say that the Colorado Taxpayer Bill of Rights should serve as a model for Illinois. Colorado’s legislation put into place important policies to protect taxpayers, some of which include restricted taxation, a limit on government spending and refunds of excess revenues to taxpayers.