Fair Tax Ballot Initiative (Ken Duckmann)

Why am I involved in the work?

Since joining Holy Trinity in 1994, I have been involved in many social justice issues important to our church community as well as to the larger community around Holy Trinity. Since the late 1990s I’ve been involved with the Lakeview Action Coalition, the predecessor agency to ONE: Northside (ONS), working specifically with police accountability and hate crimes in the Lakeview neighborhood. I’ve served as our representative since 2012 and helped guide LAC’s merger into the ONE: Northside organization we work with today. My faith compels me to work for justice, whether its been on the LAC or ONS, Lutherans Concerned (now Reconciling Works), the Synod’s Anti-racism ministry or our own anti-racism ministry, the Chicago CROP Walk, The Night Ministry or the Lakeview Pantry. The reality is that Jesus words in Matthew 25:42-44, “for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” And Jesus reply in verse 45, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” – is my guiding principle as to how I attempt to live out my faith.

What does it mean for the HT community?

Currently, one of the most pressing issues before us is the November election, specifically on a local level we have a ballot initiative on Fair Tax. Maybe you’ve heard about it on the television. Lately you cannot miss the advertising – either for or against it. On Sunday, September 27, after worship we’ll have an opportunity to learn more about the Fair Tax and what its implications are for us and the entire state of Illinois. This ballot initiative to amend our constitution happens very rarely. You’re probably wondering why, Ken, are you involved in the Fair Tax initiative. One, because of my work and involvement with ONS but secondly, and more importantly, because it is a place of fairness and equity. Currently, our tax system is out-of-whack and has been for much too long. The bottom fifth of Illinois taxpayers (those making less than $21,800) contribute 14.4% of their income to state and local taxes compared to 7.4% for the top 1 percent of Illinois taxpayers. The change will generate additional revenue for our state which can then be used to address funding for critical programs; such as: education, public safety, and social service services (mental health and substance abuse, as examples). It’s a place of justice and fairness. It’s why I’m helping work to get people to understand the implications on this ballot initiative.

Please join me on Sunday, September 27 following the 9:30am service for a special forum on the Fair Tax ballot initiative with representatives from ONE Northside.

ONE Northside Fair Tax Initiative

Fair Tax Illinois + What is it? What is the purpose?

Holy Trinity has been involved with ONE: Northside (ONS) and its predecessor organization, the Lakeview Action Coalition, since the mid-to-late 1990s. Our involvement over the years has been to work for fair housing, police accountability, healthcare access, and the like. Currently, we are being asked to join our partnership on educating people on the Fair Tax. Over the course of the next few weeks as we move closer to the November election we'll be providing opportunities for you to learn more about the implications of the Fair Tax for us and all Illinoisans. Over the last two months we, Kerry Fleming and Ken Duckmann, have had presentations to our congregation council. Currently, the plan is to provide a workshop on Sunday, September 27 after the 9:30am service, via Zoom. Stay tuned for further details.

Why are we involved in this work. First, because of our partnership with ONS. Second, because we believe a more fair tax system and structure is what our faith calls us to be about. As we presented to council, to sum up our efforts in educating us all on the Fair Tax - Holy Trinity’s partnership with ONE: Northside calls us to facilitate the passage of the Fair Tax Initiative. It intersects with all our social ministry work in that it confronts the same inequalities and inequities in our society. It reminds us, as a congregation, to act with courage and engage intentionally.