Illinois hospital group favors current tax rate

The Illinois Hospital Association in Naperville is supporting an extension of the state's temporary income tax increase.

The hospital group released a statement Wednesday saying the current tax rates should be maintained to avoid cuts to health care and other services.

Illinois Hospital Association President Maryjane Wurth says, without the current level of tax revenues, schools, public safety and health care will be subject to funding cuts she calls "severe and destructive."

State lawmakers have just a few more weeks to approve a budget. They face the question of what to do when a temporary income tax increase rolls back in January and leaves a roughly $1.6 billion revenue dip. Gov. Pat Quinn wants to extend the increase.

The hospital association represents more than 200 hospitals and nearly 50 health systems.