Senate Minorty Leader Calls IL Budget Situation Dire CARBONDALE, IL (wsiu) - The highest-ranking Republican in the Illinois Senate says the state's budget problems are too complex to fix with a simple tax increase or a cuts-only approach.

Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno says fears that Southern Illinois University won't be able to make payroll next month illustrate how dire the situation is at the state level.

SIUC is not alone in its budget shortfall. The state owes the university more than 100-million dollars, and is months behind in paying vendors like doctors, hospitals and pharmacies.

Governor Pat Quinn is pushing for an income tax increase to bring more money in, but Radogno says even that won't fix the problem completely. She and other Republicans say a fundamental change to state money management is needed.
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