SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (AP) -- Illinois Democrats are edging closer to a possible vote on raising income taxes during a lame-duck session of the state Legislature.
Senate President John Cullerton said Tuesday that Democratic leaders are studying whether they can pass an increase in the Illinois House.
The Senate has already approved a tax hike of 2 percentage points.
House Speaker Michael Madigan is pushing two constitutional amendments that might help win support for higher taxes.
One would limit growth in state spending, while the other would make it harder to approve costly pension benefits for government employees.
Democrats are also pursuing deals on Medicaid costs, school reform and worker's compensation.
Together, the measures could be used to argue Democrats are serious about handling tax money more responsibly if an increase is approved.
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