The Illinois Republican Party recently shared a News-Gazette editorial on gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker's alleged support of raising the state income tax to at least 5 percent.
The News-Gazette says the billionaire businessman pointed to the expiration of the tax imposed on the state between 2011 and 2015 and told party members that the rate should be increased to 5 percent or more.
"Let's remind everybody, the tax used to be 5 percent, and (Rauner) let it lapse down to three and three-quarters percent," Pritzker is heard saying in an audio clip. "And that's what started a lot of the problems that we've got in the state. So, if you just put it back (to 5 percent), that's $5 billion dollars. That doesn't get you everything you need, but it's a good way toward, you know, toward getting real revenue in the state."
While Pritzker blamed Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, it was former Gov. Pat Quinn and the Democratic leaders of the General Assembly who were manning the helm when the tax increase expired.
In the 2018 primary, Pritzker is expected to face millionaire businessman and philanthropist Chris Kennedy of the Kennedy dynasty, and candidates of more modest means, including state Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston), Madison County Schools Superintendent Bob Daiber and Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar.
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