It’s no secret that Illinois faces challenges that threaten the future of our state. After four years of an administration that held our budget hostage and refused to stabilize state finances, we find ourselves with a $3.2 billion budget deficit, devastatingly underfunded schools and human services, businesses longing for stability and predictability in state finances, and a stream of middle- and lower-class families leaving the state in search of better opportunity.

A fair tax plan is the first step we need to address these problems and set Illinois back on the path to success.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s fair tax plan would create a tax system in Illinois that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few. Under the plan, 97 percent of Illinoisans would not see an income tax increase, with only those making more than $250,000 a year paying more. The largest increases would go to those making more than $1 million a year.

I think we can all agree that someone making more than $1 million a year should pay a higher rate than someone making $30,000. But that’s the fundamental problem with our current tax system — those two people are taxed at the same rate.