Thousands Rally For More Taxes In Springfield

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Apr 22, 2010 2:00PM

Thousands descended on Springfield yesterday, rallying for higher taxes in the bizzaro Tea Party protest, under the name "Save Our State." The aim of the rally - comprised of over 200 groups including many unions - was to encourage state legislators to raise taxes to fill the state's $13 billion budget hole instead of depending on cuts to important sectors like education and social services. Gov. Quinn has proposed the one-percent point income tax hike from three percent to four percent as well as a slew of other tax hikes (including the infamous "iTax" we mentioned yesterday), none of which have caught on with anyone in Springfield. And none of them likely will, at least until after this November's big election, a sentiment expressed by members of both parties. State Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria). “What I’m hearing in the state Capitol is that it’s going to be pretty tough to see a tax increase before the November election. I think the earliest would be in the fall veto session.” More telling was state Rep. Raymond Poe (R-Springfield), who said, “We got a lot of things to do before guys like me would be interested, and once they do, then I’ll be interested in a temporary tax."

Other Republicans also dismissed the calls for higher taxes, insisting that more diligence on government spending would solve the problem.

Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno of Lemont made it clear Wednesday that the pro-tax rally will not sway lawmakers, saying she's never seen "this kind of rally make a huge difference." Radogno said she opposes the taxes and borrowing Quinn is pushing, arguing there should be more budget cuts.

While the Associated Press didn't seem impressed with the initial crowd, other media reports pegged the estimated attendance at right around the expected 15,000 mark, which is a lot of people shouting a message that's falling on deaf ears. Progress Illinois has more on the rally.