(Springfield) – The Illinois Chamber of Commerce announced today that a total of 40 business organizations across Illinois, including 27 chambers of commerce, have joined the fight against the deceptive and destructive progressive income tax amendment.
“Amid snowballing corruption investigations and a COVID-19 recession, now is the most dangerous time to give our politicians free-reign of our paychecks,” said Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Maisch. “The progressive income tax amendment is simply a big bag of cash dropped at the back door of the Capitol for the ethically-challenged legislature to spend however they want.”
The Chamber has been organizing its efforts against the progressive income tax since January 2019, and joined the Illinois Farm Bureau, National Federation of Independent Business—Illinois, and the Technology and Manufacturing Association to form the Vote No on the Progressive Tax Constitutional Amendment coalition this summer. The grassroots coalition has grown to over 500,000 employers with millions of employees throughout the state and has steadily been adding new members every week.
“Like the rest of small businesses, our auto dealers are struggling to recover from major losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Illinois Automobile Dealers Association Director of Government Affairs Joe McMahon. “Now is the worst possible time to increase taxes on our businesses that are fighting to keep their doors open and their teams employed.”
Twenty-seven chambers have joined Illinois’ state chambers – the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – in their opposition to the amendment.
“The Rockford Chamber of Commerce has helped thousands of businesses grow and expand for over 100 years,” said Rockford Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Einar Forsman. “We would be doing them a disservice by not fighting against an amendment that is sure to stifle this growth and reduce economic investment in our community.”
The Illinois Chamber is assisting their local chambers by providing information, speakers and personalized landing pages to help chambers inform their communities on how destructive the amendment could be for their businesses, families and local economies.
“The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce has a long history of advocating for policies that will promote growth in our community,” said Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Latonya Brock. “The progressive tax increase would be devastating to many of our already struggling businesses at a time when they need the most support.”
The Illinois Chamber is focusing on informing voters on how the progressive income tax amendment increases the state’s taxing powers, makes Illinoisans susceptible to multiple income taxes, and will sooner, rather than later, increase taxes on the middle class. It is also distributing media and information on how the revenue from the tax increase is not tied to addressing Illinois’ second-highest-in-the-nation property taxes, billions in bill backlog or unfunded pensions.
“We’ve had incredible growth in the Joliet-area since the 1990s, nearly doubling in population and adding much in the way of business opportunities for our residents,” said Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Michael J. Paone. “A competitive tax environment is vital for maintaining and recruiting business investment in our community, especially in our transportation and logistics industries.”
The VOTE NO momentum has continued with endorsements from trusted state and national editorial boards including The Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago Business, Shaw Media , and the Wall Street Journal.
Vote No on the Progressive Income Tax Coalition
- Associated Builders and Contractors – Illinois
- Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Auto Parts and Service Association of Illinois
- Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce
- Chamber 630
- Champaign County Chamber of Commerce
- Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce
- Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Edwardsville / Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce
- Effingham County Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Fayette County Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce
- Heritage Corridor Business Alliance
- Home Builders Association of Illinois
- Illinois Automobile Dealers Association
- Illinois Business Alliance
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce
- Illinois Electronic Security Association
- Illinois Farm Bureau
- Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce
- Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
- Lockport Chamber of Commerce
- Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Manteno Chamber of Commerce
- McLean County Chamber of Commerce
- Metro-East Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Mid-West Truckers Association
- Midwest-South Eastern Equipment Dealers Association
- Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce
- National Federation of Independent Business – Illinois
- Outdoor Advertising Association of Illinois
- Quad Cities Chamber
- Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce
- Rockford Chamber of Commerce
- Southwestern Illinois Employers Association
- Sycamore Chamber of Commerce
- Technology and Manufacturing Association
- The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce
Besides the coalition, the Illinois Chamber is also working in cooperation with other partners, including The Coalition to Stop the Proposed Tax Hike Amendment, to expand the reach of their message. More information can be found at: chambersagainsttax.com.
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