The Illinois House has voted in favor of endorsing the idea of switching to a graduated income tax. Democrats who control the House voted 61-51, in favor of the resolution that calls for the change. Switching from Illinois’ flat income tax would require a constitutional amendment and be considered by voters in 2020. Democratic candidate for governor JB Pritzker called for a progressive tax, which would tax wealthier people at a higher percentage than those with lower incomes. Currently, every individual in Illinois pays a 4.95-percentage. Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie says that the idea would equalize income distribution. She dismissed Republicans claims that the wealthy would flee Illinois for lower tax states. Republicans are claiming that this is a way for Democrats to raise more money for spending on taxpayers. The resolution is similar to those currently in place in 33 states, including Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri and Indiana, which would eventually cut taxes for most Illinoisans. House Speaker Michael Madigan says that Illinois’ current tax structure unfairly forces working families to pay a much larger share of their income in state taxes than corporate CEOs and hedge fund billionaires. He accuses Governor Bruce Rauner of willfully misleading taxpayers, in an effort to protect a special deal for millionaires and billionaires, like himself.