Demmers hammers Frerichs on retirement tax question

QUINCY — Tom Demmers, a Republican state representative from Dixon, stopped in Quincy today to discuss his candidacy for Illinois state treasurer.

Demmers was introduced by one of his colleagues in the Illinois House, State Rep. Randy Frese (R-Quincy). Frese said he and Demmers were in agreement to stop tax increases in Illinois.

Earlier this year, Demmer introduced House Resolution 753, which asks the Illinois General Assembly to reaffirm the vote to change the Illinois constitution to allow politicians to raise taxes indefinitely with a progressive tax, and, according to Frerichs, make it easier to begin taxing retirement income.

Additionally, Demmer has launched a new online petition that asks voters to formally register their opposition to Frerichs’ tax on retirement income.

Demmers said his opponent, the incumbent state treasurer, Democrat Michael Frerichs, wants to increase retirement taxes in Illinois, saying it was part of a proposed graduated-rate income tax which lost at the ballot box in November 2020.

“One thing a progressive tax would do is make clear you can have graduated rates when you are taxing retirement income,” Frerichs told the Daily Herald in June of 2020. “And, I think that’s something that’s worth discussion.”

But in October 2020, one month before the graduated-rate income tax was soundly defeated by Illinois voters, Frerichs walked back that statement in a news release.

“I oppose creating a retirement tax in Illinois, along with the General Assembly, and governor,” Frerichs said.

Demmers did say there is currently no legislation in motion for such a tax increase.