Senate Democrats Consider Tax Increase

Democrats who control the Illinois Senate hinted Thursday that some kind of tax increase may be on the horizon.

With the state's backlog of unpaid bills projected to hit the $5 billion mark by March, Senate leaders said the state must find new ways to pay for existing services.

"Maybe we need to look at alternative ways to raise revenue," said state Sen. James Clayborne, a Belleville Democrat vying to become the next Senate president.

State Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago, a top budget expert in the Senate, said lawmakers would probably have to find new sources of cash to pay bills.

"We would hope so," Trotter said.

The talk of tax increases came as Comptroller Dan Hynes warned in a letter to the governor and legislative leaders Thursday that the backlog of bills owed to state vendors was at an unprecedented $4 billion, with many vendors waiting three months or longer to get paid.

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Comments

[DASChicago]

Cease the $1,200.00 unaccountable monthly expense given to county board members to fill this void!

[BSERIUS]

tax tax tax... Of course only the top 5 % will be taxed as the Obama agenda has said.... Any thought to reducing staffs , pensions , perks , cars , and maybe no more raises ? Maybe all pensions of all governent employees should be reviewed

[Mock38]

It very ironic that the state that gave us Pres. Elect Obama has an inept state government.
The governor is extremely unpopular. The Speaker of the House and the governor are mortal enemies. There is a rumor that the governor will be indicted on various corruption charges. One can only hope.

The system of stiffing state vendors for months on end is a disgrace.

The Democrats control the state but can not govern it effectively.

Unfortunately for the people of Illinois, the Republicans are in disarray and offer no solutions.

[Softnsweet]

I knew they were going to bleed us. Just give it all up to them.

[GLN 60611]

"Maybe we need to look at alternative ways to raise revenue," said state Sen. James Clayborne, a Belleville Democrat vying to become the next Senate president.

Hey, Jim:

Chicagoans are already taxed to the max across the board: 10.25% sales tax, 11.25% to eat out; 9% entertainment taxes; taxes on cell phones, cable, and internet; not to forget the incredibly high property taxes!!!!

Enough taxes on Chicagoans!!!!!!!!!!!

All these taxes are causing me to seriously considering moving to another state! I have had it with all the inane inept politicians who only know how to tax and spend/ spend and tax.

AS AN ALTERNATIVE, JIM, SPREAD ANY NEW INCREASED TAX BURDEN ONLY ON DOWNSTATE ILLINOIS!!!! They need to pay their fair share, too!