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   SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois transit advocates are proposing a plan to fix the state's deteriorating roads through a new tax that would raise the price at the gas pump, The Associated Press has learned.

   The Transportation for Illinois Coalition says the $800 million dollar a year plan is necessary to get a toehold on needed repairs to roads, bridges and rails.

   The influential group is pushing legislation to replace the current 19 cents per gallon motor fuel tax with a 9.5 percent wholesale tax. It would add about 14 cents to today's price of a gallon of gas.

   Coalition co-chairman Doug Whitley laid out the plan for the AP in advance of making it public.

   The proposal would also increase vehicle licensing fees.

   Bill Fleishli of the Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association says the fuel tax would hurt business.

   JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri's Republican-led Legislature put a priority on cutting taxes this year. But the same lawmakers who passed a $700 million income tax cut also approved numerous little-known fee increases.

   One of those measures could increase fees on driver's licenses and vehicle registrations, costing Missourians almost $22 million annually.

   Another bill would impose fees on mailed-in speeding traffic tickets, affecting an estimated 170,000 cases annually.

   Missourians could pay more to get copies of their own medical records or court transcripts. Businesses could get charged more for certain Agriculture Department services. And court fees could rise in some places.

   Although fees and taxes both take money from people, many Republican lawmakers have drawn a philosophical distinction. They say taxes are applied generally, and fees are charged only for specific services.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says an income-tax cut bill passed by the Legislature also could levy taxes on prescription drugs.

Nixon released a written statement Thursday saying the legislation would repeal an existing sales tax exemption on prescriptions, which could cost consumers $200 million annually.

The Democratic governor has previously indicated that he is likely to veto the bill. His previous statements pointed to the eventual loss of hundreds of millions of dollars for state services as a result of the income tax cut.

The legislation was handled by Republican Sen. Will Kraus, of Lee's Summit. Kraus said Thursday that he did not intend to tax prescription drugs. If that's the case, he says Nixon should sign the bill and call a special session so lawmakers can fix it.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Public school administrators say some local districts would have to raise property taxes if they're forced to cover the cost of teacher pensions.

   The school officials testified Thursday at a special hearing called by House Speaker Michael Madigan.

   The Chicago Democrat says suburban and downstate districts get a "free lunch" because the state pays their teacher pension costs. He says Illinois is in grave financial trouble and the districts must be part of the solution.

   The administrators say potential tax increases would depend on how much money districts have and how much of the burden the state shifts to districts.

   Public university representatives also testified Thursday. They say the change could result in a 2 percent tuition increase.

   Madigan has vowed to address the issue before the General Assembly adjourns.

CHICAGO (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn says income tax revenue for 2013 will top forecasts by $1.3 billion. He says he'll put the money toward the billions the state owes in unpaid bills.

The governor's office said Tuesday the money was a one-time windfall resulting from businesses and individuals selling assets or taking early dividends in anticipation of higher federal tax rates.

Quinn says the money is welcome but a one-time bump in revenue will not help fix the problem in the long run.

Illinois owes billions to businesses, charities and local governments performing some of the state's most essential services. The problem adds to the state's huge financial mess, which includes a soaring public pension crisis.

Quinn said Tuesday the focus must be on "restoring Illinois to full fiscal responsibility."

   JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Gov. Jay Nixon says he remains opposed to a bill that would raise the state sales tax while cutting income taxes for individuals and businesses.

   Nixon released a statement Thursday saying that a sales tax increase would shift the tax burden to seniors and veterans on fixed incomes. He said it "is not the right approach to growing our economy or creating jobs."

   His reaction comes after the House passed a bill Wednesday that would gradually cut the individual income tax by two-thirds of a percentage point over five years while also reducing business taxes.

   To offset part of the lost revenue, the bill would gradually raise the sales tax by three-fifths of a cent.

   Nixon also had opposed an earlier version of the bill passed by the Senate

Still working on those taxes? 

Tax filers will be able to drop off returns in the drive-thru area at the Main Post Office in Downtown St. Louis.  You have until midnight to get the forms postmarked.

Postal service officials say they will NOT have employees on the streets in front of the Post Office to collect returns as they have offered in the past.  Also, there will be no extended retail hours today (Monday).

Postal officials say if customers need postage and mailing supplies, use the Downtown location until 8 p.m. Monday.

Large collection boxes will be set up along Market Street to drop off returns before midnight.

Still working on those taxes? 

Tax filers will be able to drop off returns in the drive-thru area at the Main Post Office in Downtown St. Louis.  You have until midnight to get the forms postmarked.

Postal service officials say they will NOT have employees on the streets in front of the Post Office to collect returns as they have offered in the past.  Also, there will be no extended retail hours today (Monday).

Postal officials say if customers need postage and mailing supplies, use the Downtown location until 8 p.m. Monday.

Large collection boxes will be set up along Market Street to drop off returns before midnight.

   The Internal Revenue Service is warning metro-east tax-filers about a scam that could cost them.  

   IRS officials in Illinois say phoney tax preparers are luring mostly low-income and non-English-speakers with promises of big tax refunds.  

   The scammers may appear very legitimate, often setting up shop in a storefront office.  They use the victim's personal and financial information to file false tax returns, pocketing the money.  

   The victims don't get a refund, and some have lost federal benefits, like social security or veterans benefits because of the scams.  

   IRS officials say taxpayers should be wary of tax preparers who don't ask for proof of income and eligibility for credits and deductions. 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - An organization that analyzes Missouri financial issues has begun running a radio ad against legislation that would cut state income taxes while raising the sales tax.

The Missouri Budget Project said Tuesday that this marks the first time in its 10-year history that the St. Louis-based nonprofit has paid for ads against a policy proposal.

The ad targets legislation scheduled for a House committee hearing Tuesday that would cut income taxes by three-quarters of a percentage point while increasing the sales tax by a half cent. The bill already has passed the Senate.

The Budget Project claims the measure could reduce state revenues by $960 million annually once fully implemented. Other legislative estimates have put the cost at almost half that amount.