Author: Raoul Staff

Springfield,
IL—Haitian-American State Sen. Kwame Raoul took time away from his work in

Springfield this week to meet with a delegation of Haitian officials at the White House at the invitation of his predecessor President Barack Obama.

The meeting came amidst

U.S. efforts to commit further direct aid efforts including debt relief of the damaged nation.

“It was an honor to discuss

Haiti’s challenges with President René Préval despite the circumstances,” said Raoul. “President Préval has requested the help of Americans as he seeks to provide an adequate life for the Haitian people.”

Since 1970 a non-graduated or "flat" income tax system has been a part of Illinois’ constitution. Since that time, our neighboring states have altered their tax systems to make it fairer for their residents. Meanwhile, Illinois’ income tax system has remained the same and to date we have the lowest income tax rate of any state that requires one. While our other sources of revenue have increased to keep pace with inflation and population growth, the state’s largest source for revenue, its income tax, has remained stagnant. This is a practice that must end.

Illinois has been handcuffed by an unfair and broken tax system which places a great strain on the middle-class and those who can least afford it. We are currently the 6th most regressive taxing state in America. Families with earnings in the bottom 60% of all income earners pay over 10% of their income in state and local taxes, making their burden over 2 times greater than that of affluent families in our state.