Yesterday we highlighted how a coalition of community organizations and labor unions are fighting back against Gov. Quinn's proposal to cut human and social services for the state's neediest residents. As an alternative, they want Illinois officials to reform the regressive income tax structure so the state can begin generating enough revenue to maintain a strong safety net. Last night, Rep. Will Burns (D-Chicago) expressed his support for their efforts, telling folks who attended the Campaign for Illinois' Future's (CIF) budget update that, with an income tax restructuring on the table, now is the perfect time to push for an "inspiring" spending plan that moves the state forward on issues like health care and education funding reform. Otherwise, he said, "How do you sell a budget on less of the same?" Watch him conclude his remarks:

Quinn is in a tough spot: Demand is rising for "safety net" services at the same time that he needs to close an estimated $12 billion budget gap. But as Action Now's Denise Dixon told us last night, it's a lack of revenue and tax fairness -- not the cost of these programs -- that accounts for the shortfall. And while the proposed cuts -- such as reductions in both home care and child care spending and the consolidation of Department of Human Service offices -- may seem marginal, they have a huge impact on the low-income families and senior citizens that rely on them.

"We want the budget to be balanced," Dixon added. "If we're going to raise income taxes, we have to make sure we don't balance the budgets on the backs of the poor."

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