Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Michael Frerichs Illinois Treasurer
    Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown Economy
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations Civil Rights
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad News
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families Business
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat Democrat
  • Sunday, October 26, the Village of Orland Park formally rededicated its Village Hall in honor of the late former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens
    Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens Government
  • Fire at townhome at 13900 block of Berkhansted Court in Orland Park, just before midnight on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
    Firefighter treated for dehydration battling townhouse fire in Orland Park – no residents injured Fire
  • Firefighters with the Orland Fire Protection District who responded to a fire in an apartment at 15200 block of Al Camino Terrace on Saturday morning said the next day that they did find a kitten that needed respiratory aid that they saved.
    FIRE UPDATE: Fire District releases photos of kitten saved from Orland Park apartment fire Saturday Features
  • two-story apartment building on the 15200 block of El Camino Terrace in Orland Park
    Orland Park apartment fire Saturday morning, no injuries Fire
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown Baby Boomers
  • Illinios Industrial Energy Consumers, information ad
    Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus Bill in Springfield Business
  • State Senator Mike Porfirio secured over $20 million to support infrastructure improvements and construction in the 11th Senate District.
    Senator Porfirio applauds more than $20 million in infrastructure repairs coming to the 11th District News
  • Dad and daughter reunited Lebving Law firm photo
    Little Girl Recovered and Reunited with Dad After Long Separation Dads' Rights
  • 11-03-25 OFPD Coffee living alone
    Orland Fire hosts meeting on helping Seniors who live alone Nov. 5 Baby Boomers
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings secures $250,000 grant for Easterseals Academy’s Tinley Park campus Health
Illinois Tollway. Courtesy of the Illinois Tollway Authority

Nothing Fair about the so-called “Fair Tax”

Posted on October 18, 2020July 13, 2021 By Ray Hanania 2 Comments on Nothing Fair about the so-called “Fair Tax”
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Nothing Fair about the so-called “Fair Tax”

When you have to label something as “Fair,” it usually means that it is lacking that quality. There is nothing “fair” about the Fair Tax. Have you ever known government to end a “temporary” tax, or return tax money that has been collected for special time-length projects like the Tollway? Once government has the power to tax more, they do. And the Fair Tax may provide some temporary relief but it gives the politicians the ability to raise your taxes more than they can currently

By Ray Hanania

When have you ever remembered government claiming to raise a tax “temporarily” and then living up to their promise to roll it back?

Never. It doesn’t happen. There is a reason for that. Once government has the money in hand and they are taxing you, they believe that you, the taxpayers, are fickle and will forget about it or get used to it.

In other words, government never rescinds a tax once it is imposed willingly. That’s the biggest problem with the so-called “Fair Tax.” It gives the impression that the new system will put the burden on the wealthy and reduce the tax on the rest of us earning under $250,000.

Illinois Tollway roadway courtesy of the Illinois Tollway Authority
Illinois Tollway roadway courtesy of the Illinois Tollway Authority

But that’s not true at all. The real purpose of the Fair Tax legislation is to give government an easier process by which to raise taxes on the rest of us. They don’t need to come to us and ask for our support, if this passes. They can just do it later on.

And that’s a big risk because honestly, when it comes to taxes, government never lives by their promises.

The idea that government imposes taxes to cover temporary things is a myth. But that’s not the only problem here, although it is a big reason why you can’t trust government or give government officials carte blanche to raise taxes whenever they want, which is what they will do a few years from now. They will use this law to impose taxes without asking you to approve the hikes.

Connecticut passed a similar “fair” tax in 1996 promising to make the system fair and leading taxpayers and voters to believe that they wouldn’t increase taxes. Of course, Connecticut lied and several years later increased the tax on the “middle class’ by 13 percent, and increased property taxes by 35 percent.

Look at Illinois government’s history.

When I was young, it was the toll, a tax, that government imposed to build the Chicago Skyway. We lived a few blocks away from it and I remember my dad complaining about how they promised to remove it once the tollway construction was paid off.

Illinois imposed tolls, a clear form of taxes on motorists for using certain roadways, was imposed in 1953 to help build new roadways in Illinois and was to be repealed 20 years later once the costs of the road construction was covered. The lie was championed by the phrase “Toll free in 73.”

Sounded catchy, but it was a lie, of course, Not only do we continue to pay tolls, the roads suck and are in poor condition, repaired regularly to give the big government road contractor donors big money contracts and jobs.

There was the tax Illinois imposed on people who played the Illinois lottery when they passed it in 1974. The money was supposed to be split, 50 percent to the winner and 50 percent to the State divided three ways (schools, infrastructure improvements, and special causes). In 1985, they decided to put the money in the Common School Fund, mainly because Chicago’s public schools were going down the tubes. Eventually, the proceeds went to cover state government general fund expenses and schools were left on their own, although Chicago’s pathetic school system relies on stealing money from the suburbs.

There were temporary income tax hikes imposed in 1989 and again in 2011, that were never temporary and the we still pay till this day.

The worst part of the income and sales taxes in Illinois is the lie that the rich, middle class and poor all pay the same amount of taxes. Of course, those taxes are a percentage which means the poor pay far less than the middle class who pay far less than the rich. Income taxes on everyone went up a few years back and have never looked back.

Sales taxes are insufferable in Cook County and compounded by local municipal sales taxes.

When government has to describe something as “fair,” it usually means it is not really fair at all.

Don’t let government take more money out of our wallets and vote No against the “Fair Tax” on November 3. Given Illinois’ history on taxes, things have never been fair or even honest.

(Originally published in the Southwest News Newspaper group including the Des Plaines Valley News and the The Regional Newspaper. For more of Ray Hanania’s columns, podcasts and radio shows visit www.Hanania.com.)

 

Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

* indicates required field. 

 

Select Email Format


newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown - October 30, 2025
  • Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations - October 30, 2025
  • Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad - October 30, 2025
NPV: 49
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Transportation Tags:election, Fair Tax, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Illinois Government, lottery, no tax is fair, no tax is temporary, referendum, temporary income tax, Tollway, unfair tax, vote no

Post navigation

Previous Post: Trump’s COVID-19 infection makes re-election uncertain
Next Post: Four Cook County Judges you should watch out for

Related Posts

  • Police presence in SD 103 News
  • Controversy-plagued Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Kim Foxx should resign as States Attorney Blogger
  • Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
    Emanuel unveils Chicago’s first public arts plan Chicago
  • “I hate to see this go” News
  • Kids Camp photo June 25, 2025, Orland Fire Protection District
    Orland Fire hosts Kids’ Fire & Life Training and Cadet Camp Fire
  • Sweet silent start News

More Related Articles

Cook County Treasurer Payment plan info Pappas: New Payment Plan Calculator helps homeowners pay late taxes in smaller increments to avoid ‘merciless’ Annual Tax Sale Cook County
Nazareth rallies, advances in Class 5A News
Jeffery M. Leving book Divorce Wars Dad rescues daughter from mother’s violent boyfriend Chicago
Moraine Valley Community College MVCC Moraine Valley students perform in original theatrical production Education
US Rep. Thomas Massie, Republican from Kentucky, sponsor of bill to eliminate double taxation on Social Security Vote against any member of Congress who doesn’t support this Social Security protection bill Baby Boomers
Romaine Lettuce. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia E. Coli Outbreak Possibly Linked to Romaine Lettuce food

Comments (2) on “Nothing Fair about the so-called “Fair Tax””

  1. Pingback: The Driver's Side" – News From The Motorist's Perspective | theexpiredmeter.com
  2. Matt says:
    October 18, 2020 at 12:47 pm

    I agree with you 100% The lies that our state government has been telling us doesn’t work anymore. People are waking up and finally seeing Illinois for what it really is. That is why a lot of people are moving out of this state. I also agree with you on tolls that have been collected over the years and we still do not have money for our roads. I remember a couple of years ago when wwe voted on keeping the road fund for roads. I wonder if there is any truth in that one. I liked the article Ray. I hope to see more on this soon.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch
    October 17, 2025
  • Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show small
    The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again
    October 11, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Michael Frerichs Illinois Treasurer
    Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown
    October 30, 2025
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations
    October 30, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad
    October 30, 2025
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families
    October 29, 2025
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat
    October 29, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme