Governor: 'Burbs OK with my tax increase

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Pat Quinn says he heard nary a complaint from a suburban crowd regarding his tax increase plans and considers the public to be on his side in negotiating a balanced budget with lawmakers.

"I went to Park Ridge on Monday in a Memorial Day parade, I walked several miles. I met a lot of people and they weren't complaining about my proposal to balance the budget," Quinn told reporters Thursday. "They were very happy I'm here, I think I have positive approval from the public, because they know you have to make tough decisions for the benefit of the common good."

Quinn has proposed a 50 percent increase in the state's individual income tax rate, taking it to 4.5 percent from the current 3 percent. There's also an increase in the corporate income tax.

The increase could generate upward of $4 billion to begin wiping away a nearly $12 billion deficit in the current and next year's budgets.

Republican state Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, whose district includes Park Ridge, was in the same parade and said Quinn mistook suburban politeness for support.

"He's the governor, he's going down the street, people are throwing out candy, the kids are happy, it's nice, the sun is shining, and they weren't rude to him," said Mulligan.

She said a recent district survey she sent out did not show support for higher taxes.

While there've been no public votes on such a tax increase, suburban lawmakers have generally criticized the idea.

Making the issue even more politically treacherous is that the primary election is scheduled for February and many fear a vote for tax increases could jeopardize their re-elections.

Quinn, however, doubted that would happen.

"I'd tell any legislator - doing the right thing for the common good will always get you re-elected," said Quinn, who became governor earlier this year after Rod Blagojevich was arrested, impeached and kicked out of office by the General Assembly.

Quinn has said he plans to seek election to a full term.

He also predicted that there would be a budget deal before the midnight Sunday deadline for action.

"And I'm going to do it," Quinn said.

After then, approving a budget requires additional votes.

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