* Back when Pat Quinn was governor and before he raised taxes, some folks were saying Quinn should follow California Gov. Jerry Brown’s example and allow state services to deteriorate so much that people would literally beg for a tax hike. Quinn wouldn’t do something like that. His heart just wasn’t in it.

But after over two years without a real budget and services crumbling everywhere, opinion at the newspaper editorial board level is starting to change. For instance, this is from the usually tax-averse Jacksonville Journal Courier…

Compromise seems to be a dirty word in Springfield. Not on the Senate side, though, where bipartisan efforts are being made to end the budget gridlock. A proposal being floated would increase personal income tax from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent to generate $4.1 billion. Unlike the House Democrats’ call for a tax increase without strings attached, the Senate plan would blend in an acceptable dose of reform for such things as unaccountable spending, pensions and workers’ compensation.

Although we have been critical in the past of tax hikes without a purpose — or with a “pretend” purpose, such as the massive lame-duck hike of 2011 — it’s clear something has to be done if Illinois is to survive.

Pretend purpose? The state hadn’t made its pension payments out of GRF in years and had been borrowing billions to make the payments for two years while bills were piling up fast.

And if 2011’s tax increase was “massive,” this one is even bigger, raising the personal rate to 4.95 percent and adding on a sugary beverage tax and eliminating some business tax incentives.

But, hey, whatever gets you through the night.

* Rockford Register Star…

A Rockford casino is part of a package of bills that would provide a budget for the state of Illinois. A state income tax increase, minor pension reforms, school funding and workers’ compensation reforms, a phased-in minimum wage increase, a two-year property tax freeze and a bill that would make it easier for local governments to consolidate are in the mix. […]

We think there’s a market for a casino here that would increase the gaming business statewide.

If there were no market, why would the Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf, Iowa, organize two bus trips a month from locations in Rockford and South Beloit? And let’s not forget all the local folks who like to drive to Ho Chunk Gaming in Madison or the casino in the Wisconsin Dells.

They want that casino so bad they’ll take those tax hikes and like ‘em.

* From a January 10th Chicago Tribune editorial…

In the Senate this week, President John Cullerton and Republican leader Christine Radogno attempted a grand bargain toward a full-year budget. But there wasn’t enough time. They promised to pursue, in good faith, a comprehensive budget deal as soon as new lawmakers are seated. We will hold them to it.

So, after railing against the 2011 tax hike they’re gonna push hard for a 2017 tax hike? Will wonders never cease?

*** UPDATE ***  The Belleville News-Democrat, no fan of tax hikes, also looked kindly on the Senate plan, as did, to a somewhat lesser extent, the Champaign News-Gazette.