The Taxin' Illini

America's Downsized Cities. Forbes. Are you listening Mayor Daley? Are you listening Todd Stroger? Are you listening:

Mr. Quinn ran as Mr. Blagojevich's Lieutenant Governor on a platform of no new taxes. But now he defends his huge tax increase by saying this will only hit those who have the "ability to pay." Of course, employers and the wealthy also have the ability to leave -- which they have been doing. In the last decade 736,000 more Americans have left Illinois than have entered, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Over the last six years, Illinois has ranked 45th out of 50 states in job creation, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council. In 2008, 175,000 jobs vanished -- a medium-sized city of lost jobs. Mr. Quinn's tax increase will mean 50% higher taxes for nearly every small business, subchapter S company and corporation in the state.

This is a state that does almost everything wrong economically.

Gov. Quinn? If the Democrat Dunce Cap fits...

P.S.

As to Mr. Quinn's claims that only the wealthy will pay more, a new analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute finds that the tax hike would hit single people with an income of more than $14,000 and couples of more than $28,000 if they have no kids. His plan increases the per person exemption to $6,000 from $2,000, but for low-income workers or families with only one child or less the more generous exemption doesn't offset the higher tax rate.

Illinois Policy Institute analysis here.