This story was originally published by City Bureau on November 20, 2020.
It was a deflating defeat to the organizers who have been pushing for decades to shift the tax system in the state away from the existing flat tax, which they criticized for being regressive and putting too much burden on low-income earners.
Though the amendment lacked support statewide, it received the support of 71 percent of voters in Chicago. Grassroots Collaborative executive director Amisha Patel sees that as a result of the years-long effort from grassroots groups to advocate for a graduated tax system.
To look forward, Lisa Christensen Gee says we must look backwards. She’s the director of special initiatives with the liberal-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. In their recent study, ITEP analyzed tax data from the last 20 years in Illinois and found that the flat tax rate system has exacerbated the racial wealth gap.
Immigrant organizations will be closely watching the Immigration Services Line Item on the budget.
This story was produced by City Bureau, a civic journalism lab based in Chicago.
