(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Gov. JB Pritzker says he’s not interested in reviving the fight over the graduated income tax.

A proposal to replace the state’s flat income-tax rate with a graduated income tax was defeated in a November 2020 ballot referendum.

The battle over the referendum question was a proxy fight between two billionaires. Pritzker spent millions of dollars on advertising supporting the proposal, which would have socked wealthier individuals with a higher tax rate. Ken Griffin, who was Illinois’ richest man, spent millions of dollars on ads critical of the proposal.

The "no" side won with 53 percent of the vote.

Since then, Griffin moved to Florida and announced that he would support politicians and causes in that state.

Northwest suburban state Senator Robert Martwick told Crain’s Chicago Business that he wants to try again.

Pritzker, speaking to reporters by phone from the Davos, Switzerland economic forum, on Thursday said he’s not interested in taking another swing at the idea.

"That’s not something that I’m focused on in this session. We’ve done lots of work to balance the budget and close corporate loopholes," Pritzker said.

Pritzker said he wants to work on property tax relief.

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