Illinois House Democrats tried to digest some unpalatable budget choices Monday, chewing on a Senate proposal with $5 billion in new taxes and some questionable savings that some members think the taxes won’t cover.

 

Leading Democrats wouldn’t commit to a 32 percent personal income-tax rate increase, but they voiced doubts about some of the savings from spending reductions that are part of the $37.3 billion measure the Senate endorsed last week.

 

“We’re looking at whether there are alternative revenues but also whether there are additional cuts,” said Assistant Democratic Leader Jay Hoffman of Swansea. “Those are very difficult decisions.”

 

While little was said about the budget in public debate, the floor was furious with action as the House approved automatic voter registration, state purchasing improvements, and a measure to protect immigrants who are in the country illegally from detention and deportation.

 

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