Gov. Quinn expected to propose making income tax hike permanent
1. Gov. Quinn expected to propose making income tax hike
permanent
SPRINGFIELD (WREX) -
Governor Pat Quinn will deliver his annual budget address Wednesday and is expected to include a
proposal to keep the state's temporary income tax increase permanent.
Lawmakers briefed on the governor's plans released the information, but they weren't authorized to
talk about the address publicly.
The tax increase of about 67 percent was approved in 2011 and is scheduled to roll back in January.
If it's allowed to do so, that would result in a $1.6 billion revenue loss for the state. State agencies
are already getting ready for steep cuts.
Quinn is expected to argue keeping the tax increase would help avoid budget cuts and outline what
would happen if it's allowed to expire. Lawmakers say he's likely to tie the issue in to homeowner
relief, saying those who pay property taxes would get a $500 refund.
We will be following the budget address throughout the day and plan to stream it live at
wrex.com/live at noon.
