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Governor Hopefuls Clash Over Taxes At Debate

Bruce Rauner (left) and JB Pritzker (right)
AP
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AP
Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrat JB Pritzker met at their first debate Thursday. Also participating were Conservative Party candidate and GOP state Sen. Sam McCann and Libertarian Grayson "Kash" Jackson.

The candidates for Illinois governor clashed Thursday over taxes during their first televised debate.

Democrat J.B. Pritzker says he wants to change Illinois' flat tax to a graduated system, in which the highest earners are taxed at a higher rate than middle-class and low-income households. But he won't say what the new rates should be. He says it should be negotiated with the Legislature.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner said Pritzker won't answer the question because "the truth is so painful." He said Pritzker "cannot be trusted" on taxes.

Pritzker said Rauner wants to keep an unfair tax system that benefits wealthy people like him.

Also participating in Thursday's debate are Conservative Party candidate and GOP state Sen. Sam McCann and Libertarian Grayson "Kash" Jackson.

All four said they don't support taxing services or retirement income.

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