Rockford Sun

House Rep. John M. Cabello (R-Machesney Park) said Monday Illinoisans are begging for the government to not raise taxes.

"People are begging, (saying) do whatever you need to do, but don’t raise taxes," Cabello said on the House floor during the vote on the amendment regarding a graduated income tax. "I don’t point fingers about how we got here because it really doesn’t matter, but we need to move forward."

Cabello said the government is pushing people out.

"Why are we not trying to bring people back in? It’s not hard to understand," Cabello said. "We have a $1.5 billion increase thanks to (President Donald) Trump’s economy."

Cabello said he's happy about that.

"But, we shouldn’t be spending it now," Cabello said. "Let’s use that money to do all of the things we’ve already done. Put it toward unpaid bills."

Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 1 passed the House on Monday with 73 yes votes and 44 no votes. It will now be on the November 2020 ballot for Illinois voters to decide. Every single Republican voted no on the bill.

Many businesses and individuals have spoken out about their disapproval of a graduated income tax structure. Critics of the structure suggest because rates aren't nailed down in the amendment that it will eventually be a tax on the middle class.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been adamant about his preference for a "fair tax" since running for governor last year.