Increase in state income tax?

By WEEK Producer, Channel 25, NBC Affiliate, Granite Broadcasting. Peoria, Il

Story Published: May 26, 2009 at 5:49 PM CDT

Story Updated: May 26, 2009 at 6:27 PM CDT

The president of the Illinois Senate says Democrats lack the votes to raise income taxes and are looking for Republican help.

Meanwhile, the President of the Illinois Taxpayer Education Foundation has embarked on a campaign against Governor Pat Quinn's efforts to raise the state income tax.

Jim Tobin says the group is opposed to a 50–percent state income tax increase to help raise revenue.

Tobin believes the plan would result in huge pensions for government employees.

"Lavish gold plated pensions for retired local and state employees have created most of the current 9 billion dollar revenue gap projected through June 30, 2011," said Tobin.

Tobin says new state hires should be required to save for their retirement by making personal contributions to 401k programs and enter Social Security.

He says Quinn's income tax proposal would prevent the creation of 70–thousand new jobs and would make Illinois the 5th highest state on income taxes.