Tax on retirement income opposed
<p class="p1">In response to what he says are proposals from allies of Chicago-area politicians wanting to place a tax on retirement income for seniors, State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, has launched a petition drive to garner community support of his efforts to oppose any new tax.</p><p class="p1">“Many seniors live on a fixed income and don’t have the opportunity to find work; taxing their retirement income will force many to cut back on other essentials that they need to survive,” Phelps said in a news release. </p><p class="p1">“Retirees shouldn’t have the rug pulled out from under them after years of planning their retirements.”</p><p class="p1">The petition asks residents to sign and stand with Phelps in opposing a tax on retirement income. </p><p class="p1">Phelps said he plans to show his colleagues in Springfield that there are a large number of residents who oppose this idea.</p><p class="p1">Phelps said that he hopes this will encourage them to vote against any measure that includes the tax. </p><p class="p1">Phelps is also sponsoring House Resolution 890 to make clear that the Illinois tax code should not be changed in order to tax retirement income. </p><p class="p1">Under current law, retirement income is exempt from any form of income tax, but the idea has been proposed by some in Illinois as a possible solution to the budget impasse.</p><p class="p1">In addition to this proposal, Phelps said that he has "stood up for seniors by voting multiple times to freeze property taxes." </p><p class="p1">Phelps also stood up to the governor’s proposed $140 million cut to the Illinois Community Care Program, which provides in-home care to the elderly as an alternative to nursing homes, by voting for a spending plan that would restore the funding and allow more seniors to remain in their homes.</p><p class="p1">“Whether it’s Alexander County or Hardin County, seniors all across Southern Illinois will once again be the targets of some Chicago political games,” Phelps said. </p><p class="p1">“We need to stand together as a region and fight against efforts to tax seniors. If you agree with me, please give my office a call and add your name to my petition.”</p><p class="p1">Residents can sign Phelps’ petition to oppose a tax on retirement income by contacting his full-time constituent service office at 618-253-4189 or email bphelps118@gmail.com.</p><p class="p1">Phelps represents the 118th District in the Illinois General Assembly, which includes all or portions of Alexander, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline and Union counties. </p>