Pritzker’s ‘allies’ are hurting his drive for a graduated income tax – Greg Hinz – Crain’s

In a statement released today, CTU president Sharkey did everything but yell "whoopie" about the prospect of all those billions and billions of dollars in new revenues running into the state treasury—and to CTU members.

"It is only through taxing those who have received every benefit of the current economic recovery—and therefore can afford to pay more—that we fund the services that everyone else depends upon," Sharkey declared. "Revenue from the new tax must go to immediate needs for the vast majority of Illinoisans: lower class sizes; librarians and enough school clinicians for our students; affordable college tuition; access to health care; affordable housing; and stable programs to address street violence."

Not a word in the statement referenced the benefits of returning the state to fiscal stability after the chaos of the Bruce Rauner years. Or how we actually may begin to pay down the state’s $8 billion backlog of unpaid bills. Or the need for pension reform, since the unfunded liability of $133.5 billion is eating up money for everything else.