Most individuals, it seems, are being reactive about the state income tax hike. But corporations headquartered in Illinois have been conspicuously quiet. Leave it to Jimmy John Liautaud, founder of the sandwich chain that bears his name, to break the silence. Jimmy John told the News-Gazette that he's already filed for residency in Florida and may recommend that his company move its corporate headquarters out of Illinois, as well. Bitching about your taxes, like the smells Jimmy John's franchises advertise in bright red neon, is free. more ›

A lot of hay has been made in the press about the recent tax increase in Illinois, especially from our neighbors to the North in Wisconsin, where the newly-elected governor is anxious to prove that the taxing ways of Illinois Democrats will lead to our state's demise. Even Indiana's gotten into the act, with the mayor of Indianapolis running full page ads in the Chicago Tribune and the Peoria Star Journal encouraging businesses to relocate East to take advantage of what's advertised as a more favorable tax rate. Illinois's elected officials haven't helped the situation, either, passing the tax increase without doing much to frame the issue. more ›

We know people all over Illinois are pissed off at the severity of the state income tax hike. Still others fly off into a Pavlovian rage whenever they hear the word "tax." And we've yet to see any idea as to what spending cuts Springfield will make to further balance the budget, although getting rid of the free public transit rides for seniors so that only the neediest among them have it was a good start. So what did the architect of the free rides for seniors program think of that and the income tax hike? Rod Blagojevich wasn't happy. more ›

Gov. Quinn's proposed income tax hike that he hashed out with state democratic leaders just cleared its first legislative hurdle. The House Revenue and Finance Committee approved of the hike by a 7-5 vote. It now goes to the full House for debate and a vote. more ›

The Illinois House returns to work tomorrow and, with time ticking down on the current veto session, it looks like House Democrats are going to need some votes if they want to pass that proposed income tax hike hammered out with Gov. Quinn. Spring Valley Rep. Frank Mautino, House Speaker Michael Madigan's budget expert, told the Sun-Times, "I don't see there are enough votes." more ›

The State Legislature has been all blades to the grindstone since reconvening in Springfield. It looks like they're on the verge of passing two major changes once the Senate reconvenes next week. First, Gov. Quinn and General Assembly leaders reached a deal on an increase in the state income tax by up to 75 percent and an increase on the cigarette tax of $1 per pack. But the more historic vote was the state House's vote to abolish the death penalty. The vote comes a decade after then-Gov. George Ryan placed a moratorium on the death penalty in Illinois; 20 men on Illinois' Death Row have been exonerated. more ›

• In his budget address today, Gov. Quinn called for a hike of the state income tax from 3 percent to 4 percent to help avoid education cuts.
• Police have released information - including name and photo - of the suspect in last week's Southwest Side rapes.
• WBEZ has background on today's immigration rallies.

When asked if he thought Republicans would have a change of heart and support an income tax increase this fall, Gov. Pat Quinn replied, "If some of our Republican friends hit their head in the tub and come to Springfield and say, 'Hey, let's raise the revenue necessary to pay for government,' we'll shake their hands and say, 'Hallelujeh, and let's get going.' I think that that's not a likely scenario." Quinn is pushing for a vote on the tax to take place after February's primary election. Meanwhile, Quinn is off to join the Chicago 2016 delegation in Copenhagen in their final push for the bid. more ›

Fox 32 is reporting that House Minority Leader Tom Cross has said a tentative agreement has been reached on the state budget, which has been in limbo for weeks after the last legislative session ended without a new budget in place. There's no income tax increase in the budget, though State Senate President John Cullerton said that an increase of some kind was inevitable in the future. Gov. Quinn backed off his push for an income tax hike last week in a bid to increase the chances of a speedy resolution. more ›

House Democrats passed a 50 percent income tax hike for the next two years today, but final approval is still questionable as the General Assembly moves one day closer to adjourning.The proposal was a move to get lawmakers who didn't approve of Quinn's permanent hike on board. Although Quinn has previously said he wouldn't stand for a permanent hike, he "backed off that position today," the Chicago Tribune reports. Republicans say they "aren't ready" to vote for a tax hike, noting it also includes increasing the cigarette tax and decreasing public pension plan payments. more ›

Talking about the budget recently, Governor Quinn dropped the word "doomsday," rattling the nerves of residents who have had enough "doomsday" budget talk (thankyouverymuch, CTA). The threat came over the possibility the state legislature wouldn't approve Quinn's desired income tax hike. According to WBEZ, Quinn said, "We are going to let people know what the consequences are if we don't do this plan. A doomsday budget is very, very dangerous for our state. It will harm our state. It will harm people, very vulnerable people in our state. And I don't want to ever have a doomsday budget." more ›