A non-binding referendum on a so-called millionaires' tax got support from about 64% of Illinois voters during the last election. Now it's legislators' turn, they'll be asked to vote on it next week.
An extra 3% surcharge on all income over $1 million, with the profit going to education. It's an idea that Speaker Michael Madigan tried to push before, but was short the votes to get it through the House.
Earlier this year, Madigan renewed his call for a millionaire's tax, and said he hoped to get that support from Republicans in central and southern Illinois.
"So there are certain Republican representatives that represent counties where there's only one millionaire. So if this were to happen, why, their school districts would benefit greatly. And they ought to support the submittal of the resolution to the voters at the next general election."
But there are enough Democrats in the House that a millionaires’ tax could pass without any GOP backing. Critics say it'd hurt small businesses, and chase high-earners out of Illinois.
Madigan's also scheduled votes for next week on two of Governor Bruce Rauner's priorities: overhauling workers' compensation and lawsuit limits.
But those are policies Democrats don't generally support, and Republicans decry Madigan's putting it on the House agenda as a political stunt.
