Betsy Londrigan, a liberal Democrat, is once again challenging Rodney Davis in IL'S 13th CD
TAYLORVILLE — Governor Pritzker's effort to change the Illinois Constitution from a flat state income tax for all to a progressive rate requiring more taxes the more one makes has become a campaign issue in a downstate Congressional race.
Earlier this week, Democrat challenger Betsy Londrigan broke her silence and announced her support for Governor Pritzker and Speaker Mike Madigan’s graduated income tax hike, which would raise taxes on many small businesses and farmers in the middle of the COVID pandemic.
That move provoked a response from Republican incumbent Rodney Davis' re-election campaign.
“Betsy Londrigan’s support for Mike Madigan’s tax hike is shameful, yet unsurprising. Londrigan always chooses her corrupt party boss over Illinois families. Madigan’s tax hike that Londrigan supports would raise taxes on family farmers and small businesses in the middle of the pandemic, just as they struggle to keep their doors open. Giving more power to politicians in Springfield to raise taxes in this tough economy would lead to disaster, but that hasn’t stopped Londrigan from supporting Madigan’s tax hike. Illinois can’t afford Londrigan’s liberal policies,” Aaron DeGroot, Davis' campaign spokesperson said.
During a virtual brunch with Democratic politicians and party leaders (which Speaker Madigan was invited to, but didn’t attend), Londrigan voiced her support for the graduated income tax. According to the State Journal-Register, “Londrigan also showed support for the progressive income tax.”
If passed, the graduated income tax referendum would give new taxing powers to politicians in Springfield and would allow them to raise taxes on all groups of taxpayers, including farmers and small businesses, without limit. Voters would not have the ability to approve or disapprove the tax rates either.
The graduated income tax is opposed by statewide advocacy groups representing farmers, small businesses, manufacturing businesses and others.
In 2018, Madigan’s Democratic Party of Illinois spent over $293,000 on behalf of Londrigan’s campaign for Congress. Londrigan’s campaign will rely on significant support from Madigan again this year.
Governor Pritzker has invested over $50 million in pushing the Progressive Tax campaign.
