By AP/KWMU
Chcago, Ill. – Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn is pushing a plan to raise the income tax on the state's rich to help fund schools and offer rebates to homeowners.
Quinn discussed his idea today to amend the state Constitution and raise the income tax from three to six percent on people who earn more than $250,000 a year. That would affect about 81,000 of the state's more than 5.6 million income taxpayers.
Half the money raised would be given to each of the state's 2.7 million homeowners as an annual rebate. The other half would go to public schools.
Quinn needs 60 percent of both chambers of the Legislature to approve placing the idea before voters next year. If that happens, 60 percent of voters must approve the plan for it to pass.
Governor Rod Blagojevich opposes the idea.