WASHINGTON, D.C. ---- Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) is pleased to announce that Byron Reed signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge on February 11, 2002. Byron Reed demonstrated a strong commitment to Illinois taxpayers in signing the pledge. He pledged to "oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses, and to oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing taxes."

"Signing the pledge is an indication of Reed's willingness to work on behalf of Illinois taxpayers," said Grover Norquist, President of ATR.

"Liberty is at stake. Americans themselves, not big government, ought to decide how to organize their finances. Taxpayers in Illinois make better decisions for themselves than any government agency; Reed trusts Illinois taxpayers and all Americans to make those decisions," said Damon Ansell, Vice President for Policy.

"Signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge is simply a display of common sense. By signing this Pledge, candidates such as Byron Reed make it clear: "taxes are already too high, and they absolutely must not be increased, " said Norquist.

"Reed demonstrates allegiance to all Americans by entrusting taxpayers with liberty. It's a sign of his ability to concede the authority of making decisions to Americans themselves, and not to impose his will upon the taxpayers, supposedly acting in their best interest. At the end of the day, taxpayers work for themselves, not to afford big government," continued Ansell.

ATR requests that all candidates, federal, state and local, sign this pledge.