Tax Hike, Budget Approved: Illinois House Overrides Rauner Vetoes

SPRINGFIELD, IL — After their vote was delayed by a hazardous materials investigation and lockdown at the state Capitol, the Illinois House voted to override Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto on a bill that will hike personal income taxes from 3.75 to 4.95 percent, as well as his veto of a budget implementation bill. The votes give the state its first budget since July 1, 2015.

A lockdown was in effect at the Capitol Thursday afternoon after a woman reportedly threw a white powdery substance in the officers of the governor, lieutenant governor and in the House gallery. The all-clear was given just after 3 p.m. after a hazmat investigation, and a woman was reportedly taken into custody.

State Rep. Steve Andersson (R-Geneva) was one of 15 House Republicans to vote in favor of the tax hike when it was originally passed by the House on Sunday. He said he's since received death threats, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. "If I have to take a couple of days of that I will be happy to do so,” to end the budget impasse, Andersson said. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Springfield news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

State Rep. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) lauded the approval of a "bipartisan, balanced full-year budget," adding, "This budget cuts current state spending by nearly $3 billion and will cost taxpayers over $1 billion less than the governor’s proposed budget. This is an important step forward to provide stability to families and businesses across the state and we know that our work is not finished.”

Rauner called the vote "another step in Illinois’ never-ending tragic trail of tax hikes." In a statement, the governor said, "Speaker Madigan’s 32 percent permanent income tax increase will force another tax hike in the near future. His tax-and-spend plan is not balanced, does not cut enough spending or pay down enough debt, and does not help grow jobs or restore confidence in government. It proves how desperately we need real property tax relief and term limits. Now more than ever, the people of Illinois must fight for change that will help us create a brighter future."

Watch: Illinois lawmakers pass first budget in two years:

• White Powder Prompts Lockdown At Illinois State Capitol
• Even With Budget, Illinois At Risk For 'Junk' Credit Status

Photo: AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File