The Illinois Senate’s proposed budget deal is full of tax hikes because it lacks the necessary spending reforms needed to right Illinois’ fiscal ship.

Illinois’ combined state and average local sales tax rate is the highest in the Midwest.

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

The New York-based credit agency cited the lack of action on a budget as the primary reason for the downgrade.

Metra’s plans to raise fares go into effect February, hurting commuters and failing to raise enough for stated capital needs.

Illinois spends more money on retirement costs than on university operations – and tuition keeps rising to prop up this overspending. Instead of hiking taxes to maintain current spending habits in higher education, politicians should shift priorities from propping up six-figure administrators to keeping tuition affordable for students.

As lawmakers consider massive tax hikes on Illinoisans, they should look to consolidate nearly 7,000 units of local government and to cut their high administrative costs.

Instead of giving Illinois residents the power to initiate referendums on local government consolidation, Senate Bill 3 vests this power in government officials, who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.