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State Lawmakers On Opposite Sides of Tax Increase Debate
Illinois lawmakers are weighing their options on tax increase proposals, though push will not come to shove for another three months.

The Illinois Senate passed a tax increase last year worth $4.8 billion. Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) says it was in response to a revenue shortfall, not reckless spending. He says state spending over the last 10 years has been flat, when adjusted for inflation, and he cites the Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis in ranking Illinois 45th in the nation in spending as a percentage of gross domestic product. (The latter may not be an apples-to-apples comparison, depending on what spending is "state" spending vs. public authorities or other levels of government in each state.)

The Senate's measure is still in play, but it has not been voted on in the House, which figures to be more resistant to a tax increase. Cullerton says a tax increase should be bipartisan, but Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) says Republicans have no responsibility to support higher taxes.

Any tax increase will probably be part of an overall budget deal, which is unlikely to come together until the end of May.

(Illinois Radio Network)
02 26 10 by Newsroom
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