WSJ: Democrat J.B. Pritzker’s Tax Hike Plan Will Not Solve Illinois’s Pension Crisis

Despite not paying his own fair share in taxes, Illinois Democrat gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker has promised an “immediate increase” in the state’s flat income tax if elected. Now, the Wall Street Journal editorial board is slamming Pritzker’s tax hike plan, saying it will do nothing to solve Illinois’ massive pension crisis.

The Wall Street Journal explains, “The solution, according to unions, is always to raise taxes. But no tax hike is ever enough because [pension] benefits keep growing faster than revenues… Yet the Democratic candidate for Governor, J.B. Pritzker, and unions are now campaigning to kill the state’s flat tax rate and raise taxes again.”

The contrast in the Illinois governor’s race could not be more clear. GOP Governor Bruce Rauner favors lowering taxes to grow the economy and reforms to fix the pension system, while J.B. Pritzker is already pledging a massive tax hike if elected. Illinoisans need tax relief, not a massive tax increase on every family.