Former Governor Pat Quinn Endorses La Shawn K. Ford and Backs Millionaire Tax for Property Tax Relief

CHICAGO — Former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn joined La Shawn K. Ford and Congressman Danny K. Davis at a press conference on Chicago’s West Side to endorse Ford and highlight a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at providing property tax relief for homeowners.

The proposal would place an additional three percent income tax on the portion of income above one million dollars, with the revenue dedicated to property tax relief for Illinois homeowners.

Governor Quinn praised Ford’s leadership and record of fighting for taxpayers.

“There are many good candidates, but the best candidate is La Shawn Ford because he has a record in Springfield of fighting for taxpayers,” said Quinn. “He is standing up for the millionaire amendment for property tax relief. We don’t want millionaires to get tax breaks while the rest of us get higher tax bills. That’s not fair.”

Ford thanked Quinn and Davis for their support and emphasized the urgency of addressing the affordability crisis facing homeowners across Illinois. “Homeowners across Illinois are facing a growing affordability crisis,” said Ford. “For many families, the biggest financial burden is the property tax bill that arrives each year and stretches household budgets to the breaking point. This proposal would place an additional three percent tax on income over one million dollars and dedicate the revenue to property tax relief for Illinois homeowners.”

Ford noted that similar policies already exist in states such as California, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. “Homeownership should represent opportunity and security, not financial uncertainty,” Ford added. “By dedicating revenue to property tax relief, we can ease the burden on homeowners while protecting the schools, services, and communities our residents rely on.”

Congressman Davis applauded Ford’s leadership on the issue. “La Shawn Ford has shown the courage to provide leadership where others will not,” said Davis. “He understands the needs of working families and seniors, and he is offering a real solution that can provide relief to homeowners.”

The press conference also featured testimony from West Garfield Park homeowner Bertha Zakori, who described how rising property taxes have strained her finances. “My property mortgage went up four hundred dollars a month because of the increase in property taxes,” Zakori said. “Three of the four people in my building are over seventy years old, and we are doing everything we can just to stay in our homes.”

Zakori said she has worked to absorb the costs without raising rents on longtime tenants. “I didn’t raise the rent on my tenants because they’ve been good tenants for more than twenty years,” she said. “So I’m doing what I can to be fair to them while trying to stay in my home.”

Ford said the proposed amendment would provide a pathway toward meaningful relief for homeowners and seniors struggling with rising property taxes. “People who have worked their entire lives should be able to afford to stay in their homes and remain in the communities they helped build,” Ford said. “This amendment is about fairness, stability, and providing real relief to homeowners across Illinois.”

The proposed constitutional amendment would require approval by the Illinois General Assembly before appearing on the statewide ballot.