Springfield, IL … State Representative Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago) and the Illinois House of Representatives voted against a proposed constitutional amendment on April 10 calling for an unprecedented increase in the state income tax rate structure to raise an estimated $3 billion.

House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 42 fell 19 votes short of the constitutional majority needed for passage.

Rep. McAuliffe voted against the measure stating the need for fiscal responsibility.

“Working families are having a hard time making ends meet with record high gas prices, property taxes and the Cook County sales tax that will increase in a few months, now is not the time for the state to raise taxes,” McAuliffe said. “The General Assembly needs to learn how to tighten its budget belts, just like Illinois families have to do. We need to reduce spending, not increase taxes.”

McAuliffe said he also voted against the constitutional amendment because it would hurt small businesses, which employ 80-percent of Illinoisans. Small businesses would be taxed at a higher rate than many corporations, thereby driving more jobs out of Illinois and discouraging entrepreneurs and investment in new job creation.