Tax Increase Supporters Descend on Springfield

Chicago - Thousands of people from around the state held a rally in Springfield Wednesday afternoon to bring attention to the state's budget crisis and push for a tax increase. It was one of hte biggest rallies in the history of the Illinois state Capitol.

The protesters include home health care workers and day care providers who left Chicago Wednesday morning. They boarded buses on the South Side to head to the rally.

They say their jobs are threatened by state budget cuts and say patient and day care facilities will be forced to shut down.

Also in Springfield were members of the Chicago Teachers Union. They left for the state capitol this morning from the Merchandise Mart.

Chicago school officials say state budget problems will force severe cuts in the classroom.
Teachers say lawmakers are failing the children.

"Illinois should not be 49 in the nation for funding public schools, and that's what we're rallying for. All these cuts are because they're not funding education, and they're putting it on the backs of teachers and blaming teachers for their lack of funding," said Marilyn Stewart, Chicago Teachers Union president.

Fired-up speakers shouted slogans like "Show some guts!" at the State house.

Not everyone agrees with the need for a tax increase, at least immediately.

Governor Quinn agrees a hike in the income tax increase is necessary, but says the budget proposal is still a work in progress.

The state is in a $13 billion budget hole.

Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont was among Republicans who met with Quinn Tuesday about the budget. She said the governor is angling for more taxes and more borrowing and called that "the wrong direction".