‘Largest Tax Increase Ever’ Campaign

Following is a case study of our work on the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s recent successful campaign to block the Illinois governor’s proposed gross receipts tax increase.

THE CHALLENGE: Illinois Rod Blagojevich announced plans to enact a massive $9 billion Gross Receipts Tax on Illinois employers. His organization campaigned aggressively for the tax increase – funded with hundreds of thousands of dollars from health care organizations and labor unions – utilizing taxpayer-funded direct mail and a TV ad blitz to advance his agenda.

THE OPPORTUNITY: The Illinois Chamber of Commerce hired us to put together an e-advocacy campaign that would be the foundation of their “David vs. Goliath” campaign to defeat the Gross Receipts Tax.

RSG responded by launching LargestTaxIncreaseEver.com – a comprehensive e-grassroots campaign around which the media relations, grassroots and lobbying campaign centered.

THE RESULTS: LargestTaxIncreaseEver.com became a massive media and grassroots hub for education and activation. Through the site, we recruited hundreds of new grassroots activists that were utilized in media tours, rallies and grassroots action.

This integrated e-advocacy campaign resulted in the resounding defeat of the Gross Receipts Tax.