State Income Tax Increase Can Lead To Repeat Of 2011
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Will 2017 be a rerun of 2011?
We're talking about a state income tax increase, outgoing lawmakers helped pass on their last day of service. WBBM's Dave Dahl reports.
"Didn't (then-Gov.) Pat Quinn teach us the failure of an income tax increase, also the failure of an income tax increase at the last minute?" State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) asked.
The state's income tax went from three percent to five, partly with the help of lame ducks who waddled into the Quinn administration.
Not wanting a repeat, McSweeney has a resolution urging lawmakers to oppose a lame-duck tax increase.
Another lawmaker, State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo), appearing with McSweeney at a statehouse news conference, said the answer is a constitutional amendment making such an increase pass by a three fifths super-majority, not a simple majority.
"Lame duck sessions should not be used for eleventh-hour tax increases - period," said Franks.
The next General Assembly is sworn in Jan. 11, 2017.
As it stands now, a bill needs only a simple majority to pass if the vote is between Jan. 1 and the inauguration.