Press Statement
Governor Pritzker Ignores Efforts to Create an Illinois Child Tax Credit in Budget Address
02. 15. 2023
Statement from Erion Malasi, Illinois Policy Director of Economic Security Project on behalf of the Illinois Cost-of-Living Refund Coalition
Chicago, IL – Erion Malasi, Policy and Advocacy Director for Economic Security for Illinois, an affiliate of Economic Security Project, released the following statement regarding Governor Pritker’s State of the State and Budget Address speech:
“We were disappointed to learn that Governor Pritzker’s proposed budget fails to include a plan to create an Illinois Child Tax Credit. Governor Pritzker has built a reputation, and a record, as a champion for tax policies that benefit working families and middle class Illinoisans. But we must do more to balance the scales on behalf of Illinois families. With costs of living rising and Congress failing to pass an expanded Child Tax Credit, we must enact policy solutions that put cash in the hands of those who need it most. A Child Tax Credit would do just that, moving us toward an inclusive, equitable, and family-friendly tax system, and furthering the Governor’s stated goal to “make our state the best place in the nation to raise young children.”
We now turn to the Illinois General Assembly to meet the urgent needs of Illinois families. The General Assembly provided a tax credit for working families during last year’s legislative session, and can once again lower the tax burden on middle class and working families while ushering in a more equitable future for all Illinoisans. The time to create an Illinois Child Tax Credit is now.”
BACKGROUND:
Illinois parents, advocates, and lawmakers gathered last week in support of SB 1444, a bill that would create a $700 per child Child Tax Credit. The proposed credit would be available to parents of children under 17 or disabled dependents. Families would be eligible for the refundable tax credit if they earned less than the median income ($75,000 for joint tax filers, $50,000 for single filers).
Governor Pritzker has a record of supporting tax policies that benefit working families. In 2019 he proposed a Child Tax Credit policy as part of his Fair Tax Plan. Last year, Governor Pritzker supported—and signed—a bill to expand Illinois’ Earned Income Credit credit for low-income adults 18-24, older adults 65+, and immigrants who file taxes with an ITIN number.
However, Governor Pritzker left himself off a growing list of governors from across the country who have included a Child Tax Credit in their own State of The State or Budget Address speeches. Last week, Economic Security Project identified these ten governors in a press release.
The Illinois Cost-Of-Living Refund Coalition is leading the advocacy effort for the Child Tax Credit. Last year, this coalition successfully advocated for an expansion to the state’s Earned Income Credit. The coalition includes more than 40 nonprofit, labor, consumer advocates, immigrant rights, and grassroots, community-based organizations across the state (see list of member organizations below).
More information about the policy is available in the Cost-of-Living Refund Coalition’s fact sheet here.
The Illinois Cost-of-Living Refund Coalition is dedicated to getting more money into the hands of Illinois families. Our 40+ members are composed of unions, community organizations, consumer protection groups, and nonprofits, including:
Age Guide
AARP Illinois
Caring Across Generations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago Jobs Council
Chicago Urban League
Chicago Votes
Children’s Advocates for Change
Children’s Home and Aid
Community Organizing and Family Issues
Economic Security for Illinois, an affiliate of Economic Security Project
Equity and Transformation
Grassroots Collaborative
Heartland Alliance
Illinois Action for Children
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Illinois Families for Public Schools
Illinois Nurses Association
Illinois Public Interest Research Group
Latino Policy Forum
LIFT- Chicago
Metropolitan Planning Council
New America Chicago
Parents Organizing to Win Educate and Renew – Policy Action Council Illinois
Raise The Floor Alliance
Service Employees International Union – Healthcare
Service Employees International Union – Local 1
Service Employees International Union – Local 73
Shriver Center on Poverty Law
Small Business Majority
Start Early
United Food & Commercial Workers – Local 881
United Way of Illinois
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
UpTogether
Warehouse Workers for Justice
Women Employed
Woodstock Institute
Worker Center for Racial Justice
Young Invincibles