Quincy Reporter

Quincy activist Mecki Kosin rages Gov. J.B. Pritzker has become the biggest enemy there is to the state’s small business industry.

“I mean he has already closed down thousands of small businesses with all his restrictions and now he seems to coming after the rest,” Kosin told the Quincy Reporter. “I’m really not shocked, and I guess that’s the bad part. He has shown himself to be a complete jerk and we just need to figure out a way for him to go.”

Kosin’s anger was triggered by news the governor plans to push a proposal that would be higher taxes for small business owners during the current lame-duck session in Springfield. The plan calls for increasing taxes on small businesses by eliminating the state-level tax benefits included in the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES).

Since the pandemic hit, Illinois has been among the hardest hit states in the country, with the state losing nearly 20,000 jobs over a two-month period as much of the rest of the country showed signs of gaining momentum.

Not surprisingly, a large number of the hits have come in the small business industry with a recent national survey concluding that by December the average full-service restaurant had lost 36% of its sales revenue and 17% of restaurants had permanently closed.

“He is destroying people and doesn’t seem to care about,” Kosin added. “With what he’s doing by the time this is over there won’t be anyone left in Illinois, especially small businesses. Right now, the only ones left are the poor and the ones that have solidiary with family or something.”

Kosin said she fears things may get worse before they get better.

Some of the damage he’s doing is probably irreparable,” she said. “You’re talking about dreams being dashed for these small owners and the governor doesn’t give it a second thought.”