Story Published:
May 30, 2009 at 6:06 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jun 18, 2009 at 1:29 PM CDT
State lawmakers in Springfield are again working down to the wire on getting a budget deal done this weekend. The deadline is Sunday night.
On Saturday, lawmakers in both chambers of the General Assembly are tackling tax increases to fill an $11-billion deficit.
Committees in both the house and senate approved different tax increases Saturday.
The Senate passed a plan Saturday night that would permanently hike the income tax to 5-percent and generate more than 5-billion dollars. The Senate's version now moves to the house.
The house's current plan would increase the personal tax rate by 50-percent to 4 and a half percent for just two years. It would generate more than 4-billion dollars.
Supporters say without the tax increase, it will likely take significant cuts to vital state services to balance the budget.
The Senate also approved significant gambling expansion in Illinois. The legislation would add casinos in Chicago, Rockford, Park City in Lake County and Danville.
The vote was 30-28. The state's expected to take $1 billion a year from the extra casinos. Meanwhile, existing casinos could add up to
800 gambling slots.
Opponents say the legislation makes Illinois the largest gambling-dependent state in the nation. This measure also now moves to the House.
Wednesday, Jun 17 at 9:47 AM Yep wrote ...
Oh yippee...more taxes, record high unemployment, gas companies putting it to us, etc. Where did I put my rose-colored glasses?!