Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn ready to present state budget proposal

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to stress his election-year theme of protecting the middle class as he presents a budget address Wednesday that political experts and lawmakers say could be his toughest yet.

The Chicago Democrat, facing re-election in what’s likely to be one of the fiercest campaigns nationwide, is expected to explain what Illinois will do to make up a roughly $1.6 billion revenue dip when the temporary income tax increase rolls back next year. But none of his options — from extending the increase to letting it sunset or approving a new tax on millionaires — will be politically easy or solve all the state’s serious financial problems.