Gov. Quinn: Put state income tax hike first

$15B DEFICIT | Cites doubts about gambling package

November 8, 2010 BY DAVE McKINNEY Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief

SPRINGFIELD — A gambling package that could raise $1 billion annually for the state appears “top-heavy” and should take a back seat in the upcoming fall veto session to raising the income tax, Gov. Quinn told the Chicago Sun-Times.

In the coming weeks, Senate Democrats intend to push legislation authorizing casinos in Chicago, an undetermined south suburban location, north suburban Park City and Downstate Danville. The expansion plan also would allow slot machines at six Illinois racetracks and expand the number of gambling machines now in use at existing casinos.

Gov. Pat Quinn thinks new gambling legislation that Senate Democrats intend to push in the upcoming fall veto session appears “top-heavy” and should take a backseat to his proposal to raise the income tax by 1 percent.

The package is similar to what the Senate passed in May 2009. But in an interview with the Sun-Times, the governor expressed pessimism over the new gambling plan and said his push to raise the individual income tax rate by 1 percentage point — to 4 percentshould take priority.

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