Don Tracy: Raja, Stratton and Kelly Chose Higher Taxes Over Working Families
SPRINGFIELD — While working families across Illinois stretch every paycheck and fight for every dollar, out-of-touch career politicians Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly voted against the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation that eliminated taxes on tips and overtime pay while Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton used her platform to oppose the measure.
Now we’re seeing exactly what they were against. New IRS data shows that Americans are seeing significant tax relief because of the bill Krishnamorthi, Stratton and Kelly opposed. According to recent reporting, the average federal tax refund so far this year is approximately $2,290, which is nearly 11% higher than last year.
For single mothers waiting tables, construction workers, nurses working overtime, and hourly employees across Illinois’ 102 counties, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime means real relief at a time when groceries, gas, utilities, health care, and housing remain far too expensive.
Yet while Republicans delivered relief at the federal level, Illinois moved in the opposite direction. Under Governor Pritzker and Lt. Governor Stratton, and with the support of Raja and Kelly, Springfield Democrats decoupled from this federal law so that Illinois would continue to tax tips and overtime pay. So much for being the Party of affordability!
Raja Krishnamoorthi, Juliana Stratton and Robin Kelly have all chosen higher taxes over helping working families.
“Career politicians like my opponents talk about helping working families, but when it comes time to vote, they side with the Democrat Socialists extreme progressive agenda every time,” said Tracy. “I started working in our family business’s warehouse at 10 years old. I’ve run a small business. I know what it means to sacrifice to make payroll. When someone works overtime or earns tips, that money belongs in their pocket, not in Washington.
“Everyday Illinoisans deserve a Senator who understands their struggles and will work to lower their cost-of-living in Washington.”
Don Tracy is available for phone, video, and in-studio interviews.
About Don Tracy:
Don is Senior Counsel at Brown, Hay & Stephens, the oldest law firm in Illinois, where Abraham Lincoln famously practiced law for four years. Public service is important to Don, with a lifetime spent in community service, most often in volunteer positions. He has served as Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, Chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board, Secretary of the Illinois Bar Foundation, President of the Sangamon County Bar Association, Chairman of the Illinois Corporate Acts Advisory Committee, and President of the Abraham Lincoln Association, President of the Oak Ridge Cemetery Board, among other community leadership positions. Born in Urbana, raised in Mt. Sterling in Western Illinois, and having raised his own family in Springfield in Central Illinois, Don has deep ties to "downstate Illinois." As the oldest of 12 children, family has always been important to Don.