Illinois GOP wants voters to weigh in on tax hike

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Republican lawmakers want to let voters weigh in on whether to make Illinois’ temporary income tax increase permanent.

Several House and Senate Republicans introduced legislation Tuesday to put a non-binding question about the tax hike on the November ballot.

The 5 percent individual income tax rate is scheduled to drop to 3.75 percent in January, reducing revenue by about $1.8 billion next year.

Gov. Pat Quinn and Democratic leaders say extending the increase is necessary to avoid huge cuts to schools and other areas.

Sen. Pamela Althoff is a McHenry Republican. She says voters in her district oppose keeping the tax hike in place.

She says: “If the Democrats need more convincing, we will give them the vehicle to hear from the voters loud and clear.”