Recent studies have shown that for decades, the current flat tax structure has only worsened income inequality throughout the state, stunting much-needed revenue and consumer spending. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that over the last 20 years, Black and Hispanic households in Illinois that make less than $250,000 per year paid $4 billion more under our current tax system than they would under a graduated tax, while the wealthiest grew their wealth by $7 billion. That is simply unfair.