If a flat tax is so great for jobs, why do so many states — many or most of them doing better on jobs than Illinois — have progressive tax structures?
That is not a true statement. The states that have progressive tax rates have higher infrastructure costs.
The tristate area of NY, CT and NJ is a prime example since they also have to deal with higher populations and mass transit.
In IL you have the same problem as NY. People in upstate NY don't want to support NYC. People in southern IL I sure could care less about Chicago's issues.
TX gets away without an income tax based on the population size and the businesses that are based there. And FL loves the snowbirds and anyone who plays professional sports. Ditto WA thank goodness for Bill Gates and Boeing.
PA has a flat tax but they also have a local tax as well. Same with Ohio and their school tax and local taxes. The DC area, MD, VA and DC seem to have declared a truce with reciprocal taxes.
I get the progressive tax, meaning the more you use the more you should be taxed.