“…When advocates for the needy and vulnerable wanted to stave off budget cuts earlier this year, they fought for a change in tax laws that would save Illinois hundreds of millions of dollars. Six months later, state leaders are giving the idea serious consideration – as a way to pay for corporate tax breaks.

The change, known in Springfield shorthand as “decoupling,” is part of a proposal to provide financial relief to keep Chicago financial exchanges and Sears from leaving the state. The roughly $500 million package, which Gov. Pat Quinn and legislative leaders were negotiating Tuesday, also would offer smaller forms of tax relief to businesses across Illinois and to the working poor…”