Illinois House rejects state income tax hike

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

The Illinois House dealt Gov. Quinn a serious budgetary setback Sunday by overwhelmingly rejecting his plan to temporarily hike the state's income tax to help close an $11.6 billion deficit.

The House's 42-74 vote increases the likelihood lawmakers will send Quinn only a partially funded state budget by midnight tonight, which supporters said would lead to “apocalyptic” cuts to state-funded human-service programs and education.

Under Quinn's plan, the state's individual income tax rate would rise from 3 percent to 4.5 percent and raise $4.4 billion for state government. It would sunset in two years.

“We're looking at a very significant budget shortfall and this would staunch the tide,” said House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), the bill's chief House sponsor.

Not all Illinois Democrats are going along with higher taxes.