Company representatives at the 12th annual Illinois Products Expo said Saturday they’re not worried about financial repercussions that could arise for themselves and other state-based manufacturers if Gov. Pat Quinn proposes an income tax increase this week.
The Democratic governor, who is seeking election to a full four-year term in November, is expected to push again for the tax hike when he makes his budget address Wednesday to help offset a $13 billion deficit. Quinn in late February said it’s necessary for the Illinois House to consider raising the income tax, which the Senate voted to do last year.
The Republican nominee for governor, state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, has vowed not to raise taxes. He has proposed instead a 10 percent, across-the-board cut in spending.
Thomas Vavrik, co-owner of Afterthought Farm in Owaneco, which was among 60 vendors displaying their products at the two-day expo that continues today, said that while an income tax increase wouldn’t be disastrous, “I believe (the state’s businesses) will be affected in the long run.”
Afterthought Farm specializes in handmade goat-milk lotion and soap, which is produced by dairy goats Vavrik and his co-owner raise. The company participated in the expo for the first time this year.
“So far we’re loving it,” Vavrik said Saturday.
Other companies showcasing their wares at the Illinois State Fairgrounds’ Orr Building, such as Springfield-based Bloodshot Bloody Mary Mix, have done so since the beginning. The company’s co-owner, Steve Squires, said he’s also not too worried about Quinn’s proposed tax hike.
“Taxes are going to affect everybody, but people are starting to realize they need to buy locally,” he said. “The tax might affect (business), but they’re buying from people they know.”
Squires said he has noticed a marked increase in his company’s business.
“It’s been a really good response this year,” he said. “It’s interesting just that they want to know where it is in the stores, what stores we have it in, and they’ve been buying, too.”
The expo overall enjoyed a similar response, according to Larry Aldag, marketing representative for the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
“Just looking at the building, I think it’s the best Saturday in the 12 years of doing the show,” he said. “We want to keep the jobs in the state, we want to grow the economy of the state, so if we can help the small companies do that, we’ll grow the economy of Illinois.”
Rhys Saunders can be reached at 788-1521.
Read the original article from The State Journal-Register.