By Illinois Public Radio
Bloomington-Normal, IL – The meeting featured former Illinois senators Paul Simon and Adlai Stevenson III as well as former governor Jim Edgar. Edgar says closing business loopholes and even raising some fees won't be enough to bridge the current $1 billion budget gap. He adds an income tax hike would fill the hole, but it would be difficult to pass because of governor-elect Rod Blagojevich's campaign promise not to raise taxes.