Gov. Pat Quinn is signaling that he could support higher cigarette taxes to help prevent deep cuts in education spending.
Quinn said Tuesday that a budget built around cigarette taxes and borrowed money to avoid $1.3 billion in education cuts is "getting in the right direction."
Lawmakers are in Springfield for what could be the final week of the spring session. There is still no agreement on a budget that fixes the state's $13 billion deficit.
Quinn wants an income tax increase, but he has signaled in recent days that he is open to other revenue ideas.
One is an increase is raising cigarette taxes by $1 per pack.
The Democratic governor says he'll call lawmakers back to Springfield "right away" if they adjourn without properly funding education.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press.
