Illinois Governor To Raise Taxes on Already Hurting Constituents

As some people know, IL Governor Pat Quinn is proposing several tax increases to balance the $12 million dollar budget deficit. With our national unemployment rate at 8.1% and Illinois rate at 7.6%, constituents feel that a tax increase may not be the best solution. Gov. Quinn is proposing a 50% increase in the state income tax, as well as a 50% increase in business tax. He is also proposing a raise in motor vehicle fees and wants to increase the cigarette tax by $1.00. Currently, Cook County holds the record for the highest local tax at 10.25%. Also, a pack of cigarettes in Cook County ranges from $7.25 to $9.00 due to the increase in the local tax; whereas outside of Cook County, cigarettes range from $3.95 to $5.00 a pack. To tax the people of Illinois during a recession seems greedy, especially when our elected officials cannot seem to balance the state's checkbook. Raising fees and taxes hurts those who earn less than the national average. Below, I have links on local responses and the Governor's plan.

Reaction to propsed increase

Inside the Governor's planed tax hike