Governor hopeful talks finances in Arlington Hts.

Democratic governor candidate Dan Hynes outlined what he called his plan for fiscal responsibility Thursday night at Arlington Heights Memorial Library.

Hynes, a three-term state comptroller, presented his plan to dig Illinois out of a financial hole to about 20 spectators in a library meeting room. He said his three-step plan would start with budget cuts as a good-faith effort to taxpayers.

"Government has to make the sacrifice," Hynes said in his roughly one-hour appearance. "We must cut first."

Hynes said his first step would reduce spending by about $1.6 billion in 2010. He said $600 million would be saved by implementing efficiencies and cutting state operations back to 2005 levels, with $100 million more shaved by dumping half of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's political hires making $70,000 or more.

To boost revenue, Hynes proposes auctioning the rights to two or three new casinos he claims could rake in $600 million. He also said he'd want to return casino tax rates to 70 percent from 50 percent.

If his plan were implemented, Hynes said, the state's deficit would be cut in half in 2010 and eliminated in 2012.

"This is probably the most comprehensive budget plan that has been presented by a gubernatorial candidate," he said.

Hynes, so far, is the leading Democratic challenger to Gov Pat Quinn, who wants a full 4-year term. Blagojevich's impeachment and ouster led to Quinn sliding from lieutenant governor into the state's top elected post this year.

Quinn's administration has made no effort to cut state government spending, Hynes said. He also accused the governor of "fear mongering, inconsistencies and waffling" during this year's budget process.

Early this month, Hynes floated the idea of having voters decide in November 2010 whether the state's flat tax rate on income should be tweaked. He said if voters approved, higher incomes would be taxed at an elevated rate.

If successful, Hynes said he'd want the boosted tax rates to take effect Jan. 1, 2011.

Several candidates are seeking the Republican nomination, and Green Party candidate Rich Whitney is expected to run again. Dan Proft pitched his GOP candidacy in a speech to a business networking group at an Arlington Heights restaurant Wednesday evening.