Illinois

Statewide: Fallout From The Graduated Tax Amendment Failure

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Sean Crawford

Published November 5, 2020 at 4:19 PM CST

A proposal to change Illinois' constitution was unsuccessful this week. It would have shifted Illinois away from a flat income tax, where everyone pays the same rate, to a graduated system with higher rates for wealthier individuals. The governor made it a cornerstone of his effort to improve the state's budget picture.

Why did it fail and how will it impact J.B. Pritzker's political capital going forward?

That story and more on this week's Statewide.

Our lineup:

* Hannah Meisel looks back at previous efforts to change the tax structure in Illinois.

* We hear what Gov. J.B. Pritzker had to say about the defeat of the amendment. He warned of "painful" budget cuts.

* Sean Crawford talks with University of Illinois Springfield Professor Emeritus Kent Redfield about Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Did he drag down his party on some key ballot questions?

* Ryan Denham of WGLT recaps the results from the 13th congressional district, where Republican incumbent Rodney Davis had an easier than expected time against Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan.

Jeneen Smith-Underwood sitting in her car during a recent church service.

* Yvonne Boose explains how for some workshipers, internet sermons just aren't enough.

* Maureen McKinney speaks with University of Illinois professor David Merriman about his research involving COVID-19 restrictions and small businesses.

* Charlie Schlenker of WGLT tells us about a study that found lead makes it way into a lot of processed venison.

* Mary Hansen of NPR Illinois reports the City of Springfield will begin fining those who refuse to wear masks in local businesses.

* Sean Crawford interviews reporter Tony Arnold of WBEZ about fallout from the failure of nthe graduated income tax amendment.

Listen to Statewide across Illinois in:

Bloomington/Normal – WGLT 89.1 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Carbondale – WSIU 91.9 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Mount Vernon - WVSI 88.9 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Olney - WUSI 90.3 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Rockford/DeKalb – WNIJ 89.5 (Saturdays 6-7 a.m., Sundays 2-3 p.m.)
Springfield/Decatur - WUIS 91.9 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 11 p.m. - Midnight, Saturdays 9-10 a.m.)
Peoria – WCBU 89.9 (Fridays 11a.m. -12 noon, Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Pittsfield - WIPA 89.3 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 11 p.m. - Midnight, Saturdays 9-10 a.m.)
Quad Cities - WVIK HD2 (Sundays 11 a.m. - 12 noon)
Urbana/Champaign – WILL 580 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 7-8 p.m.)