In a piece that leans heavily on analysis from the Institute for Truth in Accounting, Sun-Times financial columnist Terry Savage provides readers with some useful data about how much debt Illinois has accrued in recent years and how that might impact the average taxpayer. Her off-handed comment near the end of the article about the state's income tax, however, is a bit questionable:

Expect an increase in state income taxes. I'm not saying that's a good solution. In fact, I think it will be counterproductive in the long run. I actually believe that if we cut our state income tax in half, we'd create enough economic growth, and more, to make up for the difference.

On what data is Savage relying to make that bold prediction? Of the 41 states that impose an individual income tax, Illinois' 3 percent rate is the lowest in the nation. Only in supply-side fantasy land would dropping that rate even further lead to massive gains in economic growth. For more context about Illinois' income tax debate, check out the primer we published earlier this month.