Idea for protest by Illinoisians

Pritzker asked us to be ready with our buckets of water to put out the flames. Here's my idea for those buckets, presented for discussion and sharing with organizers.

A percentage of Illinoisans adjusts their tax withholdings so that the amount we would normally send to the federal government was instead directed to the state. If we are still filing tax returns in 2026, the average person takes their refund from the state and applies it to what they owe federally.

Why this is a good idea: It is reasonably accessible to the average person and I believe, relatively low risk. It's non-violent. It does not carry the risk of being jailed. It would send a message to the federal government in the language they are speaking- money. It would give the state extra funds temporarily to put towards the lawsuits and the lack of services from withholding government funds. It is a direct answer to the non-payments happening.

What it needs to work: Someone more knowledgeable than me to review the risks to the average person and communicate them as best as we can in an uncertain environment. An organization to communicate and collect a reasonable percentage of Illinois taxpayers to commit to these changes before anyone implements it. Ideally, the organization creates a calculator to determine the withholding changes and instructions on how to make those changes. The calculator might include an estimate of fees that would be owed on the federal taxes so one can plan accordingly if they want to square up in the end.

I have communicated this idea to several organizations and even to some members of our government. I thought it wise to avoid it being tied back to me in an easily traceable manner, but fuck it. We need to act and we need to act fast so if you like this idea, please share it with anyone who can vet it and make it happen. We're running out of time.