Effingham, IL -(Effingham Radio)- It’s Election Season! The countdown to our local and national elections has begun. Early voting started this week in Effingham County and around the state and this is the year that mail-in ballots is the big news.
Here are things you need to know about Election Day on November 3, 2020:
Election Day is a state holiday in Illinois, affecting government offices, except election authorities; K-12 schools; and postsecondary institutions governed by the State Universities Civil Service Act.
Effingham County residents can vote early from now through Monday, November 2 at the Benwood Conference room on the first floor of the Effingham County Office Building at 101 North Fourth Street in Effingham. Voting hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31.
The Chamber will host a Candidate Forum for the election of the 107th and 109th State Representative seats and the 55th State Senate seat on Tuesday, September 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Effingham Elks Lodge.
Candidates invited to participate: Blaine Wilhour, Dave Seiler, Adam Niemerg, John Spencer, Darren Bailey, Cynthia Given. The forum will be broadcast live on 97.9 XFM Radio. Cromwell Radio Group will also be airing the forum. Watch our social media pages for more information. The candidates are being asked to talk about their views as they relate to Illinois’ population decline, the proposed Constitutional Amendment on the tax structure, ethics reform and pension reform.
The Elks Lodge requires that people wear masks and social distancing will be observed. A limit of 50 people can attend in person. Chamber members have first priority for attendance at this event.
The Effingham County Chamber Board of Directors has voted to oppose the proposed Constitutional Amendment that would change Illinois’ tax structure from a flat tax to a so-called “progressive” tax. The Board’s vote regarding the ballot initiative is based on factors related to the timing of the vote in light of current economic conditions, giving increased power to the General Assembly to make changes whenever they want and Illinois’ ongoing population decline. The measure is also contradictory to the Chamber’s mission to strengthen member businesses and stimulate regional prosperity.
The Board’s position statement follows:
“The Board of Directors of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, which represents over 550 businesses and their 15,000 employees, opposes the proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution that will allow a new progressive tax structure. The amendment harms businesses of all types and sizes, will cost Illinois jobs, hurt workers and allows the Legislature to raise taxes on all levels of income without limit. The proposed change leaves the door open for more than one tax on income and types of income. The projected increase in revenue is not to any type of spending cuts, providing an open checkbook for a legislature that already has ethical challenges.”
A new website: https://chambersagainsttax.com/effingham is now available for you to review. It will be linked from the Chamber’s website along with more supplemental information.
Every vote counts!
Norma Lansing, IOM, ACE
President & CEO
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