Thousands of protesters at Illinois Capitol press for tax INCREASE

Posted by Michelle Manchir at 11:50 a.m.; updated at 12:10 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD --- Thousands of protesters bused down by labor unions and social service advocates are rallying at the Capitol today in an attempt to pressure state lawmakers into raising the income tax to avoid more budget cuts.

State officials have been bracing for a potential shutdown of the building, but so far the protesters are outside listening to speeches at what's been dubbed the "Save Our State" rally. They are lined up shoulder to shoulder for a few hundred yards stretching a street in front of the Capitol as they listen to speakers standing on a makeshift stage close to the nearby Illinois Supreme Court building.

"These 177 people who have a job don't want to do their job," said Henry Bayer, head of the Illinois chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, referring to the number of lawmakers in the House and Senate. "Yes people are hurting, that's why we need a tax increase....If you try to leave town without doing your job we're going to chase you."

Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing a 33 percent increase in the state income tax rate --- taking it from 3 percent to 4 percent --- to prevent cuts in state spending. Quinn has suggested that education will bear the brunt of the cuts, although that would have to be negotiated with the General Assembly.

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