IL SR0383

Opposes amending the Illinois Constitution to allow graduated or progressive income taxation, citing the current constitutional requirement for a non-graduated (flat) tax rate under Article IX, Section 3.

Notes that individual income tax rates increased from 3% to 5% in 2010-2011 and corporate rates rose from 4.8% to 7%, with promised revenue intended for paying state bills but resulting in billions of dollars in unpaid bills as of June 2013.

Argues that flat tax systems cause less economic distortion than progressive systems and provide fairness and certainty to all taxpayers.

States that progressive taxation would not ameliorate the state's backlog of bills, reduce structural deficits, or fix state finances.

References historical context that the 1970 Constitution codified promises made to the business community in 1969 when the income tax was initially adopted, limiting taxation of corporations and prohibiting graduated rates.