Image from a video produced in opposition to the possibility Illinois policymakers might try to tax advertising.

A coalition of 70 members of the Illinois House on Wednesday filed a resolution which seeks to thwart a sales tax on advertising.

The resolution, which has broad support from both sides of the aisle, was supported by a coalition of trade associations including the Illinois Association of REALTORS® and the Illinois Press Association.

According to IAR President Mike Drews:

“Adding yet another tax to the long list of taxes in this state can only serve to hurt consumers. If IAR’s 43,000 members are hit with an advertising tax the costs to effectively market properties for our clients will be substantially increased. Our members would have no choice but to pass those costs along, further driving up housing costs and making the dream of owning a home less attainable. Illinois gets a bad rap for making it difficult for small businesses to operate. An advertising tax would do little to undercut that narrative that Illinois is increasingly too expensive a place to do business.”

The resolution was filed by state Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills. Although Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has not formally proposed an advertising tax, there has been fear that in the effort to address the state’s budget crisis he might resort to the funding measure.

According to the coalition press release: “Illinois’ resolution comes on the heels of a recent vote in Pennsylvania where a similar proposal was just defeated.  On November 23, the Pennsylvania Senate voted down legislation that would have eliminated most property taxes in favor of higher taxes on personal income and certain types of advertising.”