John McCarron writing in today’s Tribune, seems to be endorsing the Civic Committee’s tax increase plan over the “tax swap” proposed last year. The Civic Committee plan in fact proposes a number of key public service reforms for Illinois that conservatives would be happy to endorse. The problem is, these reforms are tied to a tax increase, which may be hard to swallow … especially since Illinois’ tax burden has gone up considerably over the last five years thanks to local property tax increases.

The political risk here is that this “compromise” plan will be gutted of its key reform elements: defined contribution pension plans, expanded access to charter schools and Medicaid finance reform and Illinoisans will be left with tax increases with no substantial reform to government budgeting or expenditures.

So I think it’s unconscionable for the Civic Committee to become open advocates of a tax increase. We all know a tax increase is on the table. Responsible opposition would push reforms and leave the “compromises” to Springfield. The Civic Committee has a bully pulpit and while they castigated the state for its irresponsible management of tax dollars, advocating a tax increase diluted the message. But I guess it gives city Dems cover for voting for a tax increase without fear of business backlash … perhaps this was the real purpose all along.