That's according to Cullerton spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon. She was
responding to Gov. Pat Quinn, who said Friday that Cullerton and
House Speaker Michael Madigan aren't "cheerleaders" for an income
tax increase. Cullerton's Democrat-controlled Senate passed an
income tax increase last year, but Madigan won't commit to calling a
House vote on it. Republicans have blasted the idea of raising
taxes.
Phelon says if Republicans won't take "responsible action," then
Cullerton has encouraged Quinn to propose "a very real picture" of
what state finances will look like without a tax increase.
The governor's budget office has estimated Illinois will have an
$11.5 billion budget hole next year even after $2 billion in cuts.
[Associated Press]
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