The governor should reject tax hikes and push for the structural spending reforms Illinois needs to fix its fiscal crisis and improve its economy.

The Civic Federation’s budget plan repeats old mistakes with multibillion-dollar tax hikes and no serious, structural reform.

Lawmakers need to look at the state’s major spending drivers instead of increasing taxes, which will continue to drive more people out of the state.

The proposal would be part of the Senate’s “grand bargain,” which also includes a multibillion-dollar income tax hike.

A new report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shows Illinois has experienced falling tax collections, which may indicate trouble in the state economy; spending reforms – not tax hikes – are what Illinois needs to right its fiscal ship and boost economic growth.

The new tax on plastic bags is Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s latest revenue grab.

Illinois state senators are considering a budget with massive tax hikes, but is short on critical pension reforms, which would save taxpayers billions.