Get the Fair Tax facts!

SEIU Local 73 strongly supports the Fair Tax constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall. It will bring fairness to our tax system, stabilize Illinois finances, fund education and vital services, and safeguard pensions.

Opponents have been spreading lies about the Fair Tax. These opponents, funded by the millionaires and billionaires who don’t want to pay their fair share, are the same people who continually attack unions and public worker pensions.

MYTH: The Fair Tax is a tax increase on the middle class
FACT: Under the fair tax rate bill passed by the General Assembly last spring, 97 percent of tax filers will pay less or the same. Only the wealthiest top 3 percent of tax filers will pay a little more on income over a quarter-million dollars a year.

MYTH: The Fair Tax is a blank check for future tax increases
FACT: There is no blank check: Voters know exactly what new rates will go into effect when the fair tax amendment is approved (see above). Going forward, fair tax reform doesn’t give legislators any more or less power to change tax rates than they have always had. Fair tax reform does give lawmakers the flexibility to change rates based on income, raising rates for wealthy people who can afford to pay a little bit more, and reducing rates for the middle class and those struggling to get there. Without the Fair Tax, taxes would have to be raised on all Illinoisans by 20% to address our structural deficit.

MYTH: The Fair Tax is a tax on retirement income
FACT: Illinois is one of just a dozen states that don’t collect income tax on any retirement income such as 401(k), IRA, pension or Social Security benefits. Fair tax reform doesn’t change that.

MYTH: Why not change other parts of the state constitution
FACT: When the constitution is amended by a ballot question, only the specific language in the ballot question is affected. In this case, the fair tax question simply removes the language that prevents having an income tax with higher rates for people with higher incomes, and lower rates for people with lower incomes. (This should not be confused with a constitutional convention, where any aspect of the constitution would be open for debate.)

MYTH: The wealthiest Illinoisans will leave the state if they’re finally forced to pay their share.
FACT: There is no research to back this claim up. In fact, research shows there is actually no correlation between a state’s tax rates and the likelihood a high-income family leaves the state. Middle and lower-income Illinoisans have been fleeing the state for years after previous administrations left our education system decimated. A fair tax will bring in much-needed revenue to get our state back on track and keep these families in Illinois.

MYTH: Pensions are the real problem in Illinois. Why can’t we vote on pension changes?
FACT: Illinois’s struggles with meeting its pension obligations are a separate issue from the Fair Tax. Changes to public worker retirement plans will not fix the fact that those who make the lowest 20% are paying nearly double in taxes as those at the top. People have different opinions on the pension issue, but with or without pension changes, our state needs a fairer tax system that works for everyone.

MYTH: We just can’t trust Springfield politicians.
FACT: The Fair Tax amendment isn’t about Springfield, it’s about all of us – the people of Illinois – fixing Illinois’ broken, unfair tax system. That’s why labor, community, and advocacy groups from across the state have endorsed Fair Tax reform, including the AARP Illinois, League of Women Voters, Illinois AFL-CIO, Sierra Club Illinois, Equality Illinois, and many more. All of us will continue to hold politicians accountable, but we must pass the Fair Tax amendment now to finally bring much needed fairness and resources to Illinois.

Early Voting Locations

Avoid the lines and vote early. Click here for locations on where to vote early in your district!

These locations will be open through November 3. Please check for times and availability. That gives you plenty of options to find a time, date and location to vote in the safest possible manner.

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