The Illinois Observer Illinois Poltics at a Glare
(Chicago) – April 26, 2012. News Brief: Despite backing a cigarette tax increase, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) said on Wednesday that he believes that a plan by Governor Pat Quinn to raise $750 million through a tobacco tax hike and a federal government Medicaid match to help pay for the Illinois Medicaid program would likely stall in the Illinois House.
“I would support an increase in the cigarette tax, especially for the Medicaid program,” Madigan said. “The Republican position to date is against, so I don’t think it will pass.”
Illinois needs to fill a $2.7 billion Illinois Medicaid budget hole in next year’s budget that begins on July 1, 2012.
