Madigan "Prepared" to Raise Taxes at "Governor's Request"
Embattled House Speaker Michael Madigan reportedly told members of the House Black Caucus this weekend he was prepared to raise income taxes if Governor JB Pritzker made the “request.” Pritzker has said he prefers to cut the budget first, and its unclear if Madigan can secure the votes for another term leading the Chamber he has run all but two years since 1983.
Embattled House Speaker Michael Madigan reportedly told members of the House Black Caucus this weekend that he was “prepared” to vote for and pass a tax increase if Governor JB Pritzker made the request.
Sun-Times super reporter Rachel Hinton apparently had an ear in the meeting this weekend:
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan said Saturday he’s prepared to vote for an increase in the state’s income tax rate and said he’s working with “building blocks” to get to 60 votes in his fight to secure another term in the leadership post he’s held for nearly four decades.
“My pledge to the caucus, on state finances and also on redistricting, is to provide the same type of strong leadership that I provided to our caucus when we were fighting against Gov. [Bruce] Rauner,” Madigan said while making his case before the House Black Caucus to remain speaker.
“Most of us who were there for the Rauner years know how bad it was, how difficult it was,” Madigan said. “The strong leadership I provided against the Rauner program is the same leadership that I pledge to provide to the caucus on state finances and on redistricting.”
A showing of that strong leadership may come if Gov. J.B. Pritzker asks the legislature to raise the state’s flat income-tax rate, which Madigan said is “very possible,” according to a recording of the closed candidate forum reviewed by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“I’m prepared to vote for that, presuming it’s the governor’s request,” Madigan said.
Some Democrats have privately suggested plans are in place to increase income taxes during the lame duck session before the new legislature is sworn in on January 13th.
Governor Pritzker has indicated he intends to use $2 billion in borrowing from the federal government as well as cuts before raising taxes. But he may not be getting much help from lawmakers to identify necessary cuts.
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) issued a statement Monday morning in reaction to the report:
“Fresh off the indictment of his confidant and gatekeeper Mike McClain, Michael Madigan is selling his candidacy for Speaker with the promise of another tax increase. It was just over one month ago when Illinois taxpayers resoundingly rejected the graduated tax and sent a message that everyone heard but the Democratic Party. It is time for Governor Pritzker and Illinois Democrats to take a hint from the November election: don’t go back to the taxpayers and job creators to solve the self-inflicted troubles facing our state.”