Republicans move to repeal tax increase

SPRINGFIELD — Republicans wasted no time starting a fight to repeal the income tax increase that Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law Thursday, even though top Democrats almost certainly would block such an effort.

Sen. Matt Murphy, a Palatine Republican, said he filed legislation Thursday to repeal the increase, which raises the personal income tax rate to 5 percent and corporate income tax to 7 percent for the next four years.

Repeal legislation also was filed in the House by Rep. Michael Connelly, a Lisle Republican.

The efforts could be futile, though. Quinn would be unlikely to sign a law that would repeal one he just approved.

“The administration has no interest in considering proposals motivated by politics, rather than a desire to find real solutions to Illinois' budget crisis,” said Quinn's spokeswoman Annie Thompson.

Still, Murphy wants to press on.

“I think we should push, as the governor said the other day here, to make the will of the people the law of the land,” Murphy said.

Sen. Chris Lauzen, an Aurora Republican, said the tax increase, which allows for a 2 percent increase in state spending, could end up hurting the state finances more than it helps.

“Only after cuts and we've restored trust in government ... then let's look at tax reform and modernization,” he said. “But we have to first establish that we're not going to throw away the new money like the old money.”

Even though the majority of the General Assembly voted in favor of the tax increase less than three days ago, Murphy said he thinks he can find enough votes among newly sworn-in lawmakers to repeal the measure.

A new set of lawmakers were sworn in to office Wednesday, just hours after their predecessors voted to increase taxes.