THE ILLINOIZE: Scoop- Polling shows "Fair Tax" headed toward failure...Policy Institute sues...COVID-19 bears down on NIU & EIU...Dolla Dolla bill, y'all...

October 6, 2020

SCOOP: GRADUATED TAX IN GALLOWS?

Election Day is four weeks from today. Business and agriculture groups may feel in a good position to stop Governor JB Pritzker’s proposed constitutional amendment question to change income taxes from flat to an increase for some taxpayers.

A source tells me polling on both sides of the issue has hovered slightly over 50% for weeks. The question needs 60% of the vote on the question or 50% of all votes cast to be approved. (There were about 2 million more votes for President than on a consitutional amendment in 2016).

Neither the Vote Yes for Fairness Committee, supported by Governor JB Pritzker or The Coalition to Stop the Proposed Tax Hike, the groups opposing the effort with around $45 million in donations from billionaire Ken Griffin confirmed polling numbers last night.

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POLICY INSTITUTE HEADS TO COURT

Libertarian leaning think tank/activist group/Facebook trolls at the Illinois Policy Institute filed suit yesterday against Secretary of State Jesse White and members of the State Board of Elections claiming a pamphlet on the amendment question “conceal[ed] the threat of taxes on retirement income.”

“Like the ballot explanation, the arguments in favor include several misleading statements including, among others, a misleading statement that, upon information and belief, will induce retirees into voting to impose on themselves a tax on retirement income,” the lawsuit contends.

Quentin Fulks, Chairman of the Vote Yes for Fairness committee, supporting the amendment, called the lawsuit “desperate and frivolous.”

“This is just the latest attempt by an organization bankrolled by the wealthiest people in the state to ensure the burden remains on middle and working class families, while millionaires and billionaires avoid paying their fair share,” he said in a statement.

The lawsuit asks a judge to order the Secretary of State print a “corrective notice” to voters.

A spokesman for Secretary of State Jesse White told me last week the blue pamphlet was required, by law, to be mailed. He also said the “for” and “against” language in the pamphlet was written by the General Assembly.

COVID-19 RATES RISING IN COLLEGE TOWNS

The Illinois Department of Health Friday announced 28 counties were no on the state’s warning list for COVID-19 positive test rates, and two of those growing potential hot spots are home of large public universities.

Both Coles and DeKalb counties were added to the list. Coles County is home to Eastern Illinois University in Charleston while DeKalb County is the location of Northern Illinois University.

NIU just returned to in person classes last week after a two-week pause due to test rates. Testing is free for NIU students who are required to participate in the university’s testing program. There are no free state run testing facilities in either DeKalb or Charleston. EIU operated free testing in August, but it was discontinued.

The highest positivity rate last week? Pulaski County in far southern Illinois at 17.6%.

STRAIGHT CASH, HOMIE

We continue to see a large pile of cash heading into some Illinois political races. Here’s an update on a few notable contributions:

• The Republican State Leadership Committee has dumped a total of $75,000 into the race to defeat Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride in his bid for retention. The committee is run by former State Senate Republican leader Frank Watson, but it does not appear the group has to disclose its donors.

• Meanwhile, the Illinois Republican Party is spending around $15,000 in digital ads and mail against Kilbride.

• Kilbride received around $20,000 from unions last night.

• Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) got around $20,000 in contributions yesterday from a large group of trial attorneys. Madison County was long known as a “judicial hellhole” for injury lawsuits.

• Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) announced last week she’s challenging Speaker Michael Madigan for the gavel. She unveiled her first $3,200 in fundraising yesterday. She still has millions to go to compare it with Madigan.

• The Illinois Chamber of Commerce donated $10,000 to the campaign of Justice David Overstreet in his race for Supreme Court in far southern Illinois. Overstreet is considered the favorite, but he faces a tough challenge from Democrat Judy Cates.

• The Illinois Education Association PAC came in with an additional $50,000 to support the proposed constitutional amendment.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

Happy Birthday today to State Senator Mike Hastings (D-Frankfort) who turns 40, and to Congressman Bill Foster (D-Naperville)…who is a little older than 40.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY(S)

Happy Birthday today to State Representative Bob Rita (D-Blue Island) and Sunday to Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) and former State Representative and 6th Congressional District candidate Jeanne Ives.

THANK YOU

I’m still completely blown away by the support we’ve received from you all in just the month since we trotted this new pony into the gates for his first race. Thanks for cheering for us and thanks for sending words of encouragement.

You can also send dirt and rumors to me at patrick@theillinoize.com. I love to track ‘em down.

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Have a great week.