By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Democratic candidate for Illinois Governor, J.B. Pritzker, is promoting his plan for a progressive or graduated income tax, but is declining to provide specifics.

When questioned Wednesday by WJBC’s Sam Wood, Pritzker was vague about taxes during the two years he says it will take to amend the state constitution, which is required to enact a progressive tax that forces the wealthy to pay more.

Pritzker pledges to reduce the tax burden on the middle class.

“Lowering the tax burden is the goal by lowering the tax rate that they might pay on income taxes, and also, very importantly, lowering local property taxes, which are so regressive,” Pritzker said.

A constitutional amendment must win supermajority support in the House and Senate to put the issue up for a voter referendum.

“We can change the constitution to make it fairer (like) the way the other states have done, and make sure that wealthy people pay more, and that people who are the middle class and those striving to get there pay less,” he added.

Pritzker did say he favors legalizing and taxing marijuana to raise revenue.

Pritzker faces fellow billionaire businessman and incumbent Republican Bruce Rauner in November.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]