Rock Island Today

Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) recently said voters should decide whether to pass a progressive tax hike proposed by gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker, despite opposing such a measure earlier this year.

“I’m not opposed to putting it on the ballot for the voters to decide,” McCombie told the Dispatch and Argus. “I don’t think we can change one way we tax and not look at all of the other taxes — sales taxes, property taxes. I don’t believe our income tax is regressive. I think everyone is willing to pay their fair share if you can see a positive result of the taxes you are paying.”

Pritzker, the Democratic challenger against Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on the November ballot, has proposed raising income taxes while the General Assembly considers a constitutional amendment to implement a graduated income tax, according to a story in the Chicago Tribune.

J.B Pritzker, a Democrat running for governor, has proposed raising taxes.

McCombie told the Dispatch-Argus that Pritzker’s interim tax hike would only increase rates from 4.95 percent to 6.27 percent, based on a bill filed by state Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago). That bill has been tabled in the House. However, Pritzker has drawn criticism for failing to specify how high the rates will be in his full proposal.

McCombie was one of 54 representatives to co-sponsor House Resolution 0975 opposing the implementation of a graduated income tax in Illinois. Although she might now be warming to the idea, she also issued a warning about the tax plan.

“They keep saying it’s not going to hurt the middle class,” she said. “Well, it’s going to destroy the middle class.”

McCombie represents the 71st House District and faces Democrat Joan Padilla in November.

The 71st District includes Carroll, Henry, Rock Island and Whiteside counties.