Gov. Quinn signs Medicaid, tax bills

Excerpt from Crain's Chicago Business: (click for entire article)

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn achieved one of his top legislative priorities Thursday, signing a $2.7 billion package of cuts and taxes designed to repair a long-term deficit in the state's Medicaid program.

The Chicago Democrat signed five bills, including a tax increase on cigarettes of $1 per pack and $1.6 billion in Medicaid spending reductions.

"One of our most important missions in Springfield this year was to save Medicaid from the brink of collapse," Gov. Quinn said in a statement. "I applaud the members of our working group and of the General Assembly, who worked together in a bipartisan manner to tackle a grave crisis."