Brothers and Sisters, 

Today marks another historic step forward in Illinois. This afternoon, state lawmakers voted to approve the Fair Tax Amendment, paving the way for voters to have their say when the issue appears on the 2020 ballot. 

Finally, Illinois’ working families will have our voices heard for tax fairness. Under the current Fair Tax proposal, 97% of Illinois residents would get an income tax break. Together, we can relieve the burden carried far too long by low wage and middle class households, and instead, demand that the wealthy pay their fair share. 

When the rich pay their fair share, free college for child care workers can become a reality, we will be able to fund higher wages for home care workers and expanded services for seniors and people with disabilities, our schools will have the funding for staffing and programs our kids need, and safety-net hospitals will have the resources necessary to serve more members of our communities in need of care.

SEIU Healthcare members have led the way for years in this fight because it has always been about fairness. We have seen the impact of our current flat income tax as the wage gap has widened and the rich get richer. It is blatantly unfair to tax a CEO and a home care worker the same rate and now we can address that inequity and create a more fair system of taxation.  

Congratulations to every SEIU member who has played a role in this victory. I am proud to share this news with you and to celebrate another step toward progress in Illinois thanks to the tireless efforts of all of us united in SEIU Healthcare, our allies, and Governor Pritzker and members of the General Assembly. 

When we fight, we win!

In solidarity, 

Greg Kelley 

President, SEIU Healthcare IL IN MO KS

Learn more about the Fair Tax at https://seiuhcilin.org/fairtax/.