Illinois Policy Institute's Work On Stopping An Unfair Progressive Income Tax Named Finalist For 2014 Templeton Freedom Award

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Sep 24, 2014, 08:17 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Illinois Policy Institute, with offices in Chicago and Springfield, was named one of eight finalists for this year's prestigious Templeton Freedom Award for its work to prevent an unfair progressive income tax hike in Illinois.

The Illinois Policy Institute team outside of their offices in Springfield, Illinois. (PRNewsFoto/Atlas Network)

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman said, "Defeating the progressive tax was a major victory against entrenched political powers, and shows that the freedom movement can make real progress in the most unlikely of places and against all odds. We're honored to be a finalist for the prestigious Templeton Freedom Award and look forward to advancing the cause of liberty."

The Illinois Policy Institute defeated a movement to amend the Illinois Constitution and replace the state's flat income tax with a progressive rate structure. Had the statist groups pushing the amendment had their way, families with taxable income of more than $22,000 a year could have seen a massive tax increase. This victory means that over the next five years alone, nearly $30 billion will stay in the hands of Illinois' families and businesses instead of going to the crony politicians in Springfield. Defeating the progressive tax proposal means the average Illinois family will have an additional $3,200 at their disposal over the next five years.

Who: Illinois Policy Institute and Atlas Network
What: Illinois Policy Institute named a finalist for the annual $100,000 Templeton Freedom Award
When: Nov. 13, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Liberty Forum and Freedom Dinner closing ceremony – Capitale, 130 Bowery, New York, NY 10013 (Bowery and Grand St.)
Press Contact: [email protected] or (202) 449-8441

Awarded since 2004, the Templeton Freedom Award is named for the late investor and philanthropist Sir John Templeton. The award annually honors his legacy by identifying and recognizing the most exceptional and innovative contributions to the understanding of free enterprise, and the public policies that encourage prosperity, innovation and human fulfillment via free competition. The award is generously supported by Templeton Religion Trust and will be presented during Atlas Network's Liberty Forum and Freedom Dinner closing ceremony Nov. 13, 2014 in New York City. The winning organization will receive a $100,000 prize and the runners-up will receive $5,000.

The 2014 Templeton Freedom Award finalists are:

Acton Institute: Acton University
Center For Political Studies (CEPOS): Private Property Project
Civismo: Low Taxes for Spain campaign
Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA): Initiative to limit Medicaid expansion
Goldwater Institute: Education Savings Accounts initiative
Illinois Policy Institute: Campaign to stop an unfair progressive income tax
IPEA (Agora Institute for Strategic Thinking): One Million Youth for Mexico Campaign
Lithuanian Free Market Institute: Municipal Performance Index

About Atlas Network
Atlas Network is based in Washington. It is a nonprofit organization connecting a global network of more than 450 free-market organizations in over 90 countries to the ideas and resources needed to advance the cause of liberty. Strengthening the worldwide freedom movement – AtlasNetwork.org

About Illinois Policy Institute
Illinois Policy Institute is based in Chicago and Springfield. It is an independent research and education organization generating public policy solutions aimed at promoting personal freedom and prosperity in Illinois. IllinoisPolicy.org

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140924/148064

SOURCE Atlas Network