the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
Jun 10, 2019
There are only two things assured in life, the old saying goes: death and taxes. Working people will have plenty more taxes to look forward to, after the legislative session just wrapped up. Democrats and Republicans both signed off. And the bourgeoisie in the state looks forward to seeing that money end up in their pocket, in one way or another, because many of the taxes will go toward funding a 45 billion-dollar infrastructure program.
License plate fees for every car owner in the state go up $50, from $101 to $151–$50 that applies to a beater just the same as a Bentley. The gas tax doubles, from 19 cents a gallon to 38 cents–45.5 cents for those using diesel fuel, like truck owner operators. Moreover, that tax will be indexed to inflation, so it will automatically go up–unlike our wages. And it opens the door for cities in Cook County to pass their own three cent-a-gallon taxes.
Parking will be taxed: 6% daily and 9% monthly–as if parking wasn’t already one of Chicago’s biggest headaches.
Cigarette smokers will have to pay a dollar extra for every pack of cigarettes–yet another tax falling more heavily on the working class. Those trying to escape the scourge of cigarettes by vaping will find no tax relief–e-cigarettes fall under a new 15% tax. And online sales will have to pay sales tax.
Both the working class and businesses need Illinois’ roads and bridges fixed. The working class will pay, while construction and trucking businesses profit.