State's lawmakers pass 66 percent income tax increase

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers have approved a politically risky 66 percent income tax increase in an effort to solve a historic budget crisis.

The bill now goes to Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, who supports the plan.

1. Top politics news
   1. Public relations gone bad for White House on IRS

      Updated 11 minutes ago 5/22/2013 1:24:34 PM +00:00 First Read: Changing responses to timeline makes things messier for a White House seeking distance from the continuing controversy.

   2. Immigration bill clears hurdle with approval by Senate committee
   3. Sparks will fly: House panel braces for heated IRS hearing
   4. Anthony Weiner launches bid to become NYC mayor
   5. Leahy withholds amendment to include LGBT couples in immigration reform
   6. Garcetti elected next mayor of Los Angeles
   7. IRS official to invoke Fifth Amendment at hearing
   8. With high-tech visa compromise, immigration reform proponents win GOP ally
2. More politics
   1. Obama's 2nd year
      

      AP
   2. Political Cartoons
   3. 
      BLTWY: Political news, photos and gossip

It would temporarily set the personal tax rate at 5 percent, up from 3 percent now. Corporate taxes would climb, too.

Quinn's office says the tax increase would generate about $6.8 billion annually, helping close a budget hole that could hit $15 billion this year.

In sheer percentage terms, the increase could be the biggest on the long list of those passed as states grapple with nationwide economic woes.

The Illinois Senate approved the measure 30-29 early Wednesday. The House had approved it late Tuesday.