Kendall County Times

James Marter regrets that his feelings reflect what so many Illinois residents think of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive tax proposal actually become the law of the land.

“I’m a small business owner in the area of software consulting and I can honestly say if this proposal becomes law I will be moving my business elsewhere because of the state’s treatment of small business owners,” Marter told the Kendall County Times. “With everything that’s now happening, one of the things we’ve learned is you can park your business almost anywhere and do the job. I think that’s what a lot of people are planning.”

Marter, the Kendall County Republican Party chairman, thinks a new Tax Foundation report that finds the state’s business competitiveness would tumble all the way to 47th in the country – ahead of only New Jersey, California and New York – in such rankings should the tax the governor has been pushing for since his days on the campaign trial if the measure passes.

“It’s just another mechanism to drive wage earners and businesses out of town,” he added. “Bigger businesses will also look to locate in other places instead of coming here. We have to stop the micro-managing and let the economy be free to work as it’s intended to.”

Marter insists he’s not surprised that Democrats have already started making threats should voters reject what many of them are realizing will only mean more trouble for the cash-strapped state.

“They’re already talking about raising regular rates by as much as 20% if this doesn’t pass,” he said. “I’m wondering what the rates will be for people who make a little more. Either way, I’m convinced the increases are going to be more than they’re saying and hit more people than they’re admitting to.”