'Tax the rich!' advocates target billionaires, digital ads

Illinois lawmakers and advocates call for surcharge on billionaires, digital ad tax, and global corporate tax

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Advocates in Illinois are calling for a series of new taxes targeting the wealthy, including a surcharge on billionaires, a tax on digital advertising, and a global corporate tax. The goal is to generate an estimated $3 billion in additional revenue for the state that can be reinvested into the community to strengthen the economy and attract more businesses.

Why it matters

The advocates argue that the current economic system is not working for the majority of Illinoisans, with too much wealth concentrated at the top. By taxing the rich and large corporations, the state could generate significant new revenue to fund important public services and infrastructure, ultimately creating a stronger and more equitable economy.

The details

State Sen. Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet) stated that 'the economy - it's not going to keep working if we give our money right to the rich. That's not our labor force. That's not our resources. So, the way to have a strong economy is putting these dollars back into our community that make a strong economy to attract more businesses to come to Illinois.' Meanwhile, State Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) invoked Scripture, saying 'without a vision the people perish' and that Illinois should be able to provide the 'comfort and dignity' that its residents deserve.

  • The advocates made their calls for new taxes on Wednesday.

The players

State Sen. Rachel Ventura

A Democratic state senator from Joliet, Illinois who argued that the current economic system is not working and that the state needs to tax the rich to reinvest in the community.

State Sen. Robert Peters

A Democratic state senator from Chicago who invoked Scripture to argue that Illinois needs a vision to provide comfort and dignity to its residents, which can be funded by taxing the wealthy.

Gov. JB Pritzker

The Democratic governor of Illinois who is set to deliver his budget speech on February 18th.

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What they’re saying

“The economy - it's not going to keep working if we give our money right to the rich. That's not our labor force. That's not our resources. So, the way to have a strong economy is putting these dollars back into our community that make a strong economy to attract more businesses to come to Illinois.”

— State Sen. Rachel Ventura, Democratic state senator from Joliet (chambanatoday.com)

“It says in the Book of Proverbs, without a vision the people perish. We cannot go back in time. We have to learn from the mistakes of our past, including the period of (former Gov.) Bruce Rauner. We have to have a vision about what we can give people: the world that they deserve, the safety and comfort that they deserve. In a state with such a large economy, we should be able to give people that comfort and dignity.”

— State Sen. Robert Peters, Democratic state senator from Chicago (chambanatoday.com)

What’s next

Gov. JB Pritzker will deliver his budget speech on February 18th, where he may address the calls for new taxes on the wealthy.

The takeaway

This push to 'tax the rich' in Illinois reflects a growing sentiment across the country that the current economic system is not working for the majority of people, with too much wealth concentrated at the top. By targeting billionaires, digital ads, and large corporations, the advocates hope to generate significant new revenue that can be reinvested into the community to create a stronger and more equitable economy.