SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Former Illinois governor Pat Quinn hopes to see lawmakers pass a property tax relief plan within the next two weeks. The Democrats want state leaders to allow voters to decide if Illinois should have a millionaire tax.

Quinn frequently tells legislators and reporters that millionaires should pay a 3% surcharge on their income taxes to help lower property taxes for families and businesses. Recent data show that Illinois has over 77,000 millionaires, who make up 1.2% of the state’s income taxpayers. 

"Illinois has an unfair tax code, one of the worst in the whole country," Quinn said Monday. "It’s an upside-down tax code that gives tax breaks to millionaires and higher property taxes to everyday people who are trying to stay in their home or get a home."

Over 60% of Illinois voters supported the statewide advisory referendum in 2024, and the Illinois Department of Revenue estimates a millionaire tax could generate $4.5 billion per year. 

Gov. JB Pritzker knows Democrats have several proposals for a millionaire’s tax, including one plan that would provide direct relief to property taxpayers and another that would split the money between education funding and tax relief. However, the Democrat told reporters earlier this month that no single plan will address the issue as he believes it needs to be tackled by multiple agencies.

"At this point, if we can just keep property taxes from going up, that would be a huge benefit to people across the state," Pritzker said. "Instead, every year, it seems, property taxes keep going up and up and up."

Constitutional amendments require support from at least 71 members of the House and 36 senators. 

Lawmakers would need to approve this question by May 3 for it to appear on the November ballot, but the House and Senate are only scheduled for three session days each before that deadline.

Some Democrats are concerned about putting this question on the general election ballot while they try to win more seats, and Republicans strongly oppose the idea.

"This is another push at a graduated income tax, and the voters already spoke," said House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). "We do not want that." 

One of the millionaire tax constitutional amendment questions could be discussed by the House Revenue & Finance Committee Thursday morning, but state representatives will also leave Springfield that afternoon. The Illinois Senate resumes session April 28.

"To turn their backs on property taxpayers would be very disappointing," Quinn said. "That’s not what the people want. The people have spoken, and it’s time for the elected officials to respond." 

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