The Daily Northwestern: Advocates Against Income Inequality Reassess After the Fair Tax Act’s Failure

The Fair Tax Amendment would have introduced a progressive income tax to Illinois. The state currently mandates a flat income tax of 4.95 percent.

Illinois ranks eighth in the country for tax inequality, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Throughout the state, the lowest-income 20 percent contribute over 14.4 percent of total state and local taxes, while the richest 1 percent contribute just under 8 percent.

The amendment’s advocates fought for a graduated income tax to address tax inequality, a contributing factor to growing income and wealth gaps. Now, they’re assessing its failure and considering paths forward. Ann Courter, an issue specialist with the League of Women Voters, said the ballot initiative failed partly because people didn’t trust the government to spend the increased revenue responsibly.

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