Patriots: Vote against Illinois' income tax hike

I haven't written much about Illinois' proposed move from a flat rate income tax to one with progressive rates because the legislation's trip through the General Assembly. That's because Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and his underlings fellow Democrats JB Pritzker (D-Chicago), the governor, and John Cullerton (D-Chicago), the president of the state Senate, had pre-ordained passage.

For the tax increase to take effect, 60 percent of Illinois voters have to vote on a constitutional amendment. I'm urging all remaining Land of Lincoln patriots--those of you who have not moved to Tennessee, Indiana, or Texas, to vote against it.

Yes, the Democrats are calling this a tax cut for most Illinoisans. Even if that is true, the Dems--who because of gerrymandering have supermajorities in both chambers of General Assembly--will, I predict, stick it to the middle class if the tax hike amendment passes.

You've been warned.

The income tax hike is in reality a bailout of Illinois' woefully under-funded pension plans. Who shorted the plans? Madigan, the chairman of the state Democratic Party who has been House speaker for 34 of the last 36 years. The Prairie State needs a different amendment--one that eliminates the pension guarantee.