Budget expert Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, says Gov. Pat Quinn's 1-percent income tax proposal is "insufficient and probably counterproductive.” By scaling back his tax hike plan, Martire fears Quinn will use up his chance to push for fundamental tax reform, which he says is the only way to close the state's operating deficit.

“It may be laudable to be concerned about education, but if you get that one percent, you’re not getting anything else, and so you are dooming yourself to continued ongoing deficits," he tells the Illinois Times. "Then, down the road, you’re going to be right back where you were, cutting education."