The Illinois Comeback Agenda is a five-part plan to fix our state's finances, invest in our communities, and make our government work for the people again, not the wealthy and connected special interests.
Fixing the budget
Vital services like schools, roads, healthcare, and safety are starving for resources while greedy corporations and the rich game the system for big tax breaks. Fixing the tax structure will stabilize our budget for the long-term while giving most people a tax cut.
Priority Legislation: SJRCA 1
Amends the Illinois Constitution to allow us to tax billionaires at a higher rate than janitors.
Principles
- Big corporations shouldn’t get huge tax breaks from the state that aren’t available to small businesses
- Stock market income shouldn’t be taxed at a vastly lower rate than income from working a job
- The highest earners should pay more than working people and the poor to stabilize our budget
- We should expand the Earned Income Tax Credit to support low-income working families
Reforming Government
Both political parties in Springfield are too beholden to big-money interests and political leaders. We need a government that works for the people, not just the powerful.
Priority Legislation: SB1424
Reforms the campaign finance system to cap the influence of big money and magnify the voices of everyday small-dollar donors
Principles
- Legislative maps should be drawn fairly, to accurately represent constituents, in a way that doesn’t play politics
- Politicians and state bureaucrats shouldn’t be allowed to use double- and triple-dipping and salary spiking to game the pension system
- Ethics rules should be strengthened to make sure those in the legislative and executive branch don’t immediately turn around and become lobbyists
- Taxpayers should have the option to consolidate redundant local governments that provide duplicative services
Investing in Good Illinois Jobs
Our state is losing too many good jobs, and too many of the jobs we have don’t pay enough. We need to invest in putting people back to work.
Priority Legislation: HB3538
Punishes corporations for taking Illinois tax credits and then moving jobs out of Illinois
Principles
- No one should work full-time and still live in poverty; we need to make the minimum wage a living wage
- No one should have to choose between caring for a sick child and losing his or her job; we need earned sick time and family leave for every worker
- Women should be paid the same as men for doing the same work
- The state should invest in rebuilding our infrastructure, with a focus on hiring people in communities with high unemployment and high poverty
Building great schools for every student
A child’s ZIP code or her parents’ income shouldn’t determine her opportunities in life. We want to invest in great schools for every child, from birth to college.
Priority Legislation: HB3213 and SB1705
Reverses Gov. Rauner’s rule that kicked low-income parents attending college off of state-subsidized child care
Principles
- Quality child care and pre-K is vital in making sure every child gets off to a successful start in life, and we need to expand access to those programs
- Every school district in every community deserves adequate and equitable funding
- Accountability in our schools is important, but we need to reduce the burden of over-testing on our young children
- Public universities and community colleges should be affordable for everyone, and students and families shouldn’t be saddled with enormous college debt
CREATING HEALTHY AND SAFE COMMUNITIES
Strong communities bring people together and provide adequate care for everyone. We must provide for people in need, protect and support the rights of people who face discrimination, and integrate people who have been marginalized.
Priority Legislation: HB3421 and HB3194
Ends the practice of cash bond, which keeps far too many innocent people locked up before trial because they can’t afford bail
Principles
- People who need mental health counseling and drug treatment should get those services instead of being left to fend for themselves or sent to prison
- People who were brought to this country as children shouldn’t be deported, no matter their immigration status
- Access to health care, including reproductive health, should be protected for everyone
- To improve relationships between community and police, there must be more accountability for law enforcement officials who violate the public trust
SPONSORS
These legislators have signed on to the Comeback Agenda. Don't see yours on the list? Call them and urge them to join us!