Gov. Bruce Rauner's first shot at a state budget didn't include new taxes. But no one should assume the ultimate solution to Illinois' budget crisis won't involve opening their wallets.
Top Democrats who control the Legislature say they'll keep pushing for a tax increase to avoid some of the huge cuts Rauner proposed Wednesday. Those cuts would hit programs like Medicaid and mental health care.
Rauner and some of his fellow Republicans also are leaving the door open to new revenue as they try to close a more than $6 billion budget hole next year.
Republican Sen. Matt Murphy of Palatine says he thinks Rauner is "prepared to negotiate."
Rauner's budget staff says the governor is still interested in overhauling the tax code and a possible tax on some services.
Tax hike still possible as Illinois lawmakers tackle budget
