SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois House committee has approved a new strategy for passing a major tax relief package.
The Revenue Committee on Monday voted on the package in two separate parts.
The Democratic-controlled panel voted 7-2 to approve tax breaks for Sears and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. That measure would cost the state about $150 million next year and $218 million the year after that.
Then legislators voted 8-1 on a different bill increasing tax credits for the working poor and raising the personal income-tax exemption.
The full House should vote this afternoon.
Social-service representatives testified the money would be better spent on education and preventing homelessness.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
