Illinois Governor raising taxes to increase jobs

Illinois jobs can have a bumpy road ahead of them. The state has not been doing well in the recent months. They are one of the hardest hit by the recession. In February, the unemployment rate hit a record high of 8.6%, which is higher than the national rate.

The goal is to get Illinois out of the $11.5 billion debt. The Chicago Tribune reported that Governor Quinn wants to raise income taxes as a way to mend the economy. This is part of his $26 billion Illinois Jobs Now plan.

People believe that the current low income tax attracts business to the state. The increase could force away jobs thus effecting the people and the suffering economy. Gov. Quinn believes that higher taxes would allow the government to slowly diminish their debt to businesses and allow the state to keep other governmental services.

However, Quinn promises that this increase is to help citizens. Through increasing taxes, it will bring hundreds of thousands of jobs.

"This is an emergency. We have a good plan, and as a matter of fact we have the only plan. There are people getting very worried about the construction season," Quinn said.

Additional taxes are planned to be issued on cigarettes, drivers license and license plates, and on corporations. This has to potential of creating 340,000 jobs throughout the state.