Saying that sacrifice is needed and that state lawmakers should lead by example, Gov. Pat Quinn said Monday that he is opting to take a cut in his own salary, to give a portion of it to charitable groups.
But, that won't solve the state's budget crisis.
Quinn and top lawmakers are headed into another round of budget negotiations amid dire warnings of massive service cuts.
Quinn and the state's legislative leaders were expected to meet Tuesday afternoon. It's their latest in a series of meetings since lawmakers last week passed a stop-gap budget to keep government running that some say will mean $7 billion in cuts.
Quinn is trying to convince lawmakers to pass an income tax increase to come up with more money before the new fiscal year starts July 1.
Speaking at an event on Monday, the governor referred to the state's situation as "an emergency, an economic emergency," and urged state lawmakers to act quickly.
The Illinois Senate passed a tax increase but it failed in the House. Republican lawmakers have demanded more government cost savings.
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Quinn met last week with House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton, Senate Republican leader Christine
Radogno and House Republican leader Tom Cross.
