WASHINGTON D.C. (March 12, 2015) – Today at the National Press Club, Illinois Policy Action was named winner of PR News’ “Nonprofit PR Award” in the category “advocacy campaign and lobbying efforts” for its successful campaign to protect Illinois’ fair, flat tax system in 2014.

In 2011, Illinois lawmakers raised the state income tax by a record 67 percent. The rate increased to 5 percent from 3 percent, and was billed as a “temporary” tax increase scheduled to partially expire in January 2015. But in anticipation of the tax hike partially sunsetting, politicians sought to increase state income taxes again in 2014 – this time by proposing a progressive tax.

The tax was marketed as a “tax on the rich,” but in reality would raise taxes on anyone with more than $22,000 in taxable income. This was a massive, middle-class tax increase. In response, Illinois Policy Action launched an aggressive, multichannel advocacy and marketing campaign to stop the progressive income tax from becoming law. Because of the success of Illinois Policy Action, taxpayers in Illinois will save more than $31 billion over the next five years.

The Illinois Policy Institute was a runner-up in the “blog” category for its feature, “Dewonked.” This blog, published at chicagonow.com/dewonked/ and authored by Illinois Policy Institute Managing Editor Hilary Yelvington, takes public policy issues being discussed in Chicago and explains them in relatable, everyday terms.