Democratic lawmakers are proposing to double an income tax break supporters say has helped low-paid workers.
Identical bills in the House and Senate propose increasing the state's earned income tax credit from 10 percent to 20 percent. Backers of the legislation say the tax break would be doled out in 2 percent increments over five years.
Sponsors announced the proposal during a news conference Thursday detailing a report on child poverty in Illinois. Passing any tax breaks likely would be an uphill battle given Illinois' current budget crisis.
State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie is the chief sponsor of the House bill. The Chicago Democrat says the tax credits have helped lift 130,000 Illinois children out of poverty.
Lawmakers propose increasing earned income tax credit
