Millionaire tax falls short in Illinois House - News - The State Journal-Register - Springfield, IL

 

A proposed state constitutional amendment to impose a 3 percent surtax on incomes of more than $1 million a year failed Thursday in the Illinois House.

The vote on the amendment was 68-47. It needed 71 votes to pass the House.

All Republicans voting on the proposed amendment voted against it. Three Democrats also voted against the measure: Jack Franks of Marengo, Ken Dunkin of Chicago and Scott Drury of Highwood.

Even though three Democrats voted against his proposed amendment, House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, blamed members of Gov. Bruce Rauner's party for its defeat.

"The passage of this was in the hands of the Rauner Republicans," Madigan said. "The roll call was very clear. The Rauner Republicans voted against the resolution. They don't even want to give the voters of the state the opportunity to vote on this question. It's very regrettable."

Madigan used a parliamentary maneuver to keep the measure alive for a possible vote again before the spring legislative session is over. He said it will depend on whether Republicans change their minds on the amendment.

In the meantime, Madigan has a roll call on the amendment that he can use to attack GOP lawmakers in upcoming campaigns.

Republicans seemed unlikely to change their votes. During debate, many of them said the surtax, if it was adopted, would lead to an exodus of millionaires from the state.

"These people have the ability to leave, and they can and they will," said Rep. Ron Sandack, R-

Millionaire tax falls short in Illinois House - News - The State Journal-Register - Springfield, IL