Civic group criticizes Quinn spending plan

[May 12, 2009]  SPRINGFIELD -- On Monday a respected Illinois civic group announced its opposition to Gov. Pat Quinn's budget proposal. The Chicago-based Civic Federation says the plan would take more money from taxpayers without fixing state problems or spelling out the details of a massive public works program.

The group offered its own proposal with more spending cuts and a smaller income tax increase, with all the money dedicated to reducing state debt. It also suggested Illinois consider taxing retirement income or applying the sales tax to food and drugs.

The Civic Federation is just the latest group to complain about Quinn's budget, which attempts to close an $11.6 billion budget deficit. The budget also aims to provide more money to schools and launching a construction program meant to create jobs.

Quinn's office would not discuss the federation's analysis, but it defended the governor's proposal.

[Associated Press]

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