SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is one step closer to amending its Constitution to allow for a fair tax after Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) passed a Constitutional amendment out of committee today.

The proposed Constitutional amendment would remove language requiring a flat tax and allow the General Assembly to set lower rates for those making less and higher rates for the wealthiest Illinoisans.

“Our current tax system is punitive to middle class and working families in Illinois because it imposes a greater burden on them than on the wealthiest in our state,” Harmon said. “With a fair tax, we are simply asking top earners to pay their fair share.”

Illinois is one of only nine states in the country to impose a flat tax. Harmon has worked to implement a fair tax for nearly 10 years, saying the state needs more flexibility in its tax structure.

“We have no nimbleness in our tax policy,” Harmon said. “A flat tax gives us little ability to respond appropriately to an economic downturn. Our current system is antiquated, and a majority of Illinoisans have indicated that they want to change it. We need to give them the opportunity to take this vote.”

The proposed amendment does not include specific tax rates, but Harmon said legislation to set rates will be introduced later this legislative session. Gov. JB Pritzker announced proposed rates earlier this year that would raise an estimated $3.4 billion in revenue by raising taxes on only the top 3 percent of earners in Illinois.

“The only other options we have to balance our budget are to raise taxes dramatically on everyone or make deep, draconian cuts to vital state services,” Harmon said. “A fair tax will not only help us fix our state’s finances but also give us long-term stability.”

If the amendment passes both the Senate and the House with a supermajority vote, it will be placed as a question on the November 2020 ballot.

Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 1 passed the Senate Executive Committee 12-5 today and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) that will reinstate parole in Illinois for youthful offenders became law today.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed Harmon’s measure allowing offenders who were sentenced for offenses committed under the age of 21 to petition the Prisoner Review Board for parole after serving 20 years for homicide or aggravated criminal assault and 10 years for all other offenses.

“The policy of locking youthful offenders away for decades without meaningful opportunity for release has disproportionately impacted minority communities,” Harmon said. “The facts show that young offenders are extremely unlikely to commit violent crimes again after release. This law will give them a chance to reenter society once they have served the time for their offense.”

Those convicted of predatory criminal assault or sentenced to natural life imprisonment for first degree murder would not be eligible for parole.

Illinois does not currently allow prisoners to petition for parole, but rather implements mandatory supervised release after they have completed their sentence.

House Bill 531 takes effect immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement this afternoon in response to Gov. Pritzker’s fair tax proposal that was released earlier today:  

“Updating our state’s antiquated tax structure is long overdue. A fair tax like that proposed by Gov. JB Pritzker today will protect working families while still giving us the resources we need to invest in our state. The majority of Illinoisans support a fair tax, and the governor’s proposal is a great first step toward that goal. I look forward to working with him to pass the legislation necessary to put the question on the ballot in 2020.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker delivered his first budget address on Wednesday:

“With our state still billions of dollars in debt, it is refreshing to hear our governor highlight what’s good in Illinois and propose a budget that continues our path toward stability.

“I am especially encouraged by the governor’s support for a fair income tax. Our current flat tax is antiquated and gives us little ability to enact the kind of long-term change needed to pay our bills and reduce the tax burden on the majority of Illinoisans.

“Illinois’ financial issues will not be solved in one year or by one person, but I am committed to working with Gov. Pritzker to continue our effort to restore stability to our state.”