Madigan to call vote on tax increase this spring

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan says he plans to call a vote on making the state’s tax increase permanent.

Madigan is chairman of the state Democratic party and has served as speaker for nearly 30 years. He made the comments during an interview for the public television show Illinois Lawmakers following Gov. Pat Quinn’s budget address in Springfield on Wednesday.

Quinn is calling for making the state’s temporary income tax increase permanent and giving homeowners a $500 property tax refund.

The pending rollback of the tax increase in January is expected to cause a $1.6 billion loss in revenue.

Madigan supports Quinn’s plan and commended the governor for his “political courage” in asking for the extended tax increase.

He says the Legislature will “resolve” the issue this spring.