Political Wire

Illinois Lawmakers Pave Way For Tax Hikes on Wealthy

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Bloomberg: “Illinois lawmakers paved the way for higher taxes on the state’s richest residents, approving a constitutional amendment to do away with the flat income tax that will go before voters during next year’s presidential election.”

“The state’s House of Representatives on Monday voted to approve a constitutional amendment that would allow for higher tax rates on the top earners, the centerpiece of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s plan to stabilize the worst-rated state’s finances. The state Senate already passed the measure, leaving it poised to go on the November 2020 ballot for voter approval.”

Rauner Vetoes Bill to Raise Teacher Pay

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Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) “vetoed legislation that would have raised the minimum salary for an Illinois teacher to $40,000 within five years, putting the re-election-seeking Republican at odds with teachers unions once again,” the Chicago Tribune reports.

“The bill approved by lawmakers in the spring would make the minimum teacher salary for next school year $32,076. The number would rise to $40,000 for the 2022-23 term and grow with the Consumer Price Index after that.”

Democrats Were Fired Up In Illinois

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Politico: “Democratic primary turnout was up across the state — overall, it was triple what it was in 2014, according to the Democratic Governors Association.”

“And turnout was 30 percent higher on Tuesday than in 2010, a more comparable primary election since there was a competitive Democratic primary that year. In an ominous sign, Republicans saw an estimated drop of 30 percent in turnout over 2014, which was a highly competitive primary where Rauner edged out three other top contenders.”

Rauner Pours $46 Million Into Legislative Races

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With little more than two weeks until Election Day, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s (R) personal investment in eroding the ranks of legislative Democrats led by House Speaker Michael Madigan (D) has grown to nearly $46 million, the Chicago Tribune reports.

“The massive influx of cash represents the election-year battle lines playing out in Illinois after more than a year of fighting between Rauner, the first-term governor, and Madigan, the nation’s longest-serving speaker, over the future of the state.”

Trump Dumps Illinois Director

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“Donald Trump’s Illinois campaign director has been sidelined after the national campaign grew furious over what sources described as a lack of organization in the state in the run-up to Tuesday’s primary,” Politico reports.

Kent Gray was pushed aside “early last week after the Trump camp learned he made few inroads with get-out-the-vote efforts and organizing volunteers.”

Trump Ahead In Illinois

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A new NBC News/Marist poll in Illinois finds Donald Trump leading the GOP primary field with 34%, followed by Ted Cruz at 25%, John Kasich at 21% and Marco Rubio at 16%.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton leads Bernie Sanders 51% to 45%.

A new CBS News/YouGov survey finds Trump leading with 38%, followed by Cruz at 34%, Kasich at 16% and Rubio at 11%.

On the Democratic side, Sanders leads Clinton 48% to 46%.

Rauner Keeps Spending to Bash Illinois Democrats

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Bloomberg: “Bruce Rauner (R) spent more than $25 million of his own fortune to get elected governor of Illinois. While the state is running out of cash and thousands of state employees might not get paid because of a budget dispute, the Republican chief executive isn’t done spending yet.”

“As Illinois’s gridlocked government stumbles toward a shutdown, the independently wealthy Rauner remains in campaign mode. He sends cash to his party’s lawmakers and bankrolls statewide TV ads vilifying Democratic legislative leaders who oppose his agenda.”

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

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