(The following letter to the editor appears in Saturday’s edition of the Chicago Tribune)
Necessary taxes
The Tribune editorial wisely stops short of claiming a tax increase is not needed in Illinois. When fairness, political realities and the desire to minimize human suffering are taken into account, a balanced approach that includes some cuts and a tax increase is clearly warranted. We can’t cut our way out of the $13 billion mess handed to us by past governors and the General Assembly. Illinois must raise taxes.
Members rally at the Rotunda.
The state can learn from the recent example of a prominent Illinois corporation. After making painful budget cuts, it decided, in order to continue to deliver a product of import and value to consumers, it needed to raise the price of its product.
We understand why the Tribune increased the cost of its newspaper; sometimes you have to get more revenue.
The state is in a similar situation. A tax increase is the appropriate response.
—Ken Swanson, president, Illinois Education Association, Springfield