By Benjamin Yount    217-528-9844

SPRINGFIELD  –  Illinois lawmakers know what they have to do this year.  They just don’t think it’ll get done.

Lawmakers are starting the spring legislative session with low expectations.

Will County Democrat Toi Hutchinson says lawmakers worried about the February primary last year, and are likely to worry about the November election this year.  Hutchinson says the state needs “statesmen not politicians.”

Springfield State Senator Larry Bomke says the budget will dominate the statehouse, but he’s not expecting a budget solution.

Bomke says lawmakers are “either going to pass last year’s budget or reduce last year’s budget.”

He does not expect that budget to include a tax increase.

Neither does State Representative Rich Myers.  The Macomb Republican says he, and a lot of other lawmakers, would like to see spending “reforms” before the governor asks for a tax hike.

Governor Pat Quinn has said he wants a 50-percent income tax increase.

Democrat Pat Verschoore says the state can’t afford to cut much more.  He says bill collectors are calling because the state is late in paying medical bills.  Verschoore says whatever plan comes from Springfield this year, it must allow the state to pay its bills.