Smoking tax could be part of bus, train bailout

SPRINGFIELD - Having literally kicked smokers to the curb in recent days, lawmakers may now look to raise cigarette taxes to keep Chicago-area buses and trains running.

A 90 cents-per-pack tax is being considered to take the place of other tax dollars the state may send to transit agencies to prevent route cuts and fare hikes come Jan. 20.

The tax emerged Wednesday as an option during a legislative hearing on mass transit's financial problems. It comes on the heels of a statewide ban on smoking in public places that took effect Jan. 1 covering bars, restaurants, casinos and numerous other businesses.

No vote occurred on the cigarette tax or anything else Wednesday. In fact, few lawmakers showed up for the post-holiday session ordered by Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Only 70 of 118 House members were present, and fewer than two dozen in the 59-member Senate showed. Several of those absent, including Senate President Emil Jones Jr., a Chicago Democrat, and House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego, had tickets to Tuesday's Rose Bowl in California, where Illinois was blown out 49-17 by USC.

House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, also was absent, but a spokesman said he didn't know the speaker's whereabouts.

Blagojevich, often criticized for not being at the Capitol enough, turned down tickets from the university. His spokeswoman said lawmakers were given "adequate time to make arrangements to be in Springfield." Wednesday's session convened at 5 p.m.

"We hope members of the General Assembly will show up the next time the governor calls them into special session to spare transit riders from service cuts and fare hikes," said spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff.

But many of those who showed up questioned why, since there's no deal to consider. The session lasted mere minutes.

"I have no idea what this was about," state Rep. Brent Hassert, a Romeoville Republican, said afterward.

One proposed financial fix would take the state's share of the sales tax on gasoline in Chicago and the suburbs and divert it to the bus and train agencies. Currently, that money -- more than $375 million -- goes into the state's main account for spending on everything from roads to schools to prison guard salaries.

It is in that context that a 90-cent cigarette tax emerged as an option for filling the budget hole.

The idea caught some lawmakers by surprise.

State Rep. Franco Coladipietro, a Bloomingdale Republican, said plans seem to change every minute and a comprehensive solution is needed.

Also discussed were ending various business tax incentives and taking money from special state accounts set aside for everything from buying open space to mental health programs..

The Illinois House previously voted down both the gasoline sales tax plan and a proposal to raise the suburban sales tax to come up with transit dollars.

Blagojevich supports the gasoline sales tax plan and has warned he'd veto the suburban sales tax increase.

Lawmakers involved in the mass transit issue say they hope to have a deal to vote on next week.