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Lisa Madigan Not Yet Sold on Tax Increase
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, a possible candidate for governor, is not 100 percent opposed to an income tax increase.

Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed an overall increase, though the way it's structured -- with an increase in the personal exemption -- most taxpayers would pay less. Madigan says raising taxes at all, no matter how dire the state's finances, is tough in the current political environment. "We have an integrity crisis," she said, explaining that citizens are legitimately cynical about whether the state spends wisely, and won't be receptive to a tax increase unless politicians regain the public's confidence.

Quinn has proposed $1.3 billion in budget cuts; Madigan says more must be found. The state has a budget deficit projected at $11 billion by June 30, 2010.

Madigan says if the state is as austere as possible and still needs the money, an income tax increase could be a last resort.

Madigan says she will decide on her next political move "in a few months." She was considered a sure thing to run against Gov. Rod Blagojevich for the Democratic nomination, but she may be less eager to run against Quinn, a reformer.

(Illinois Radio Network)
04 08 09 by Newsroom
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