Extortion: Pat Quinn threatens to withhold sales tax dollars from towns

Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, the erstwhile reformer who twice was Rod Blagojevich's running mate, wants to borrow nearly $9 billion to pay off old bills. Raising the personal income tax by 67 percent--before  his reelection he favored a smaller tax hike--wasn't enough. State legislators have doubts about Quinn's borrowing plan. Quinn's response? Extortion. The former goo-goo is threatening to withhold sales tax dollars from Illinois municipalities unless the legislators vote his way.

Tinley Park Mayor Ed Zabrocki, a former GOP legislator, tells the Chicago Tribune, "To me, it sounds like they're holding us hostage."

Al Capone lives.

Technorati tags: Congress Illinois politics Democrats liberal illinois politics al capone Patrick Quinn pat quinn Chicago chicago southland