By Sean Crawford, Illinois Public Radio
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwmu/local-kwmu-826449.mp3
Springfield, Ill. – The national economic downturn has been trouble for Illinois state government. Tax revenues are down, making it hard for the state to pay its bills and provide services.
Governor Pat Quinn will offer what he terms a "bold" budget plan to state lawmakers Wednesday.
Quinn has proposed a back-to-school state sales tax holiday and he wants to triple the personal exemption so people can shield more of their income from taxation.
But as Sean Crawford reports, the Governor is facing heavy criticism for suggesting tax hikes are a solution to a problem that was partly self-inflicted.