House Speaker Michael Madigan says the state's income tax should be restored to the 5% level it was at until January.
The Chicago Democrat told a City Club of Chicago crowd that the state's multibillion-dollar deficit demands a tax hike.
A temporary increase from 3% to 5% expired last winter with incoming Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's blessing. It dropped to 3.75%. Madigan says the 5% level would be a "good place to begin."
Democrats are locked in a standoff with Rauner over a state budget which should have taken effect July 1. They want increased taxes and spending cuts to balance the books.
Rauner wants far-reaching changes to improve the business climate which Madigan calls "extreme."
