DeKalb Times

Dixon Mayor Liandro “Li” Arellano can’t see how anything will be different this time around for Democrats intent on pressing for a progressive tax hike.

“I think voters have already sent a strong message about not trusting Springfield with more of their money,” the Republican told the DeKalb Times. “I think this is a desperate attempt to find a way to keep growing spending the way they always do.”

A few months after voters rejected a similar proposal, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside) recently suggested that Democrats might consider proposing a tax plan that failed last year.

This time around, Welch suggested that the tax revenues will go toward paying down the state’s $141 billion pension fund debt.

“I think they realize the public’s not going to trust them with more of their money just because, so they’re trying to say things voters may be more comfortable with,” Arellano added. “Maybe a few more people may be swayed by their effort to tie the increase to something like pensions, but most can still clearly see they haven’t gotten spending under control.”

Arellano points out there also Springfield’s track record of claiming they’re going to use tax hike money for one thing and ultimately spending it on something entirely different.

“They need to show they can run a budget and be efficient in doing it before asking for anything else,” he said. “Right now, voters don’t trust the state and they have every reason not to.”

Back in November, voters overwhelmingly shot down a similar proposal when the initiative gained just over 47% of the 60% support it needed for passage. The measure came up short despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker pumping millions of dollars of his own money into a campaign designed to get it over the finish line.