House rejects letting voters decide on tax hike for the wealthy

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois House has rejected a proposal to let voters decide whether to increase income taxes on the state's wealthiest residents.

Under the proposal, a constitutional amendment would have been placed on the ballot this fall. The amendment would have doubled the income tax to 6 percent for people making $250,000 a year or more.

But the House voted Thursday against putting the issue on the ballot. The vote was 52-60.

Some Democrats said voters should decide if they want to solve some of the state's money problems by raising taxes on those who can most afford an increase.

But Republicans say it's unwise to raise taxes in a sour economy.