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Quinn Preparing To Sign Tax, Medicaid Bills

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is to sign several bills passed by the Legislature, including those that will slash health care coverage and increase cigarette taxes by $1 a pack to help finance the Medicaid program.

The governor is expected to sign the legislation Thursday.

With Quinn's signature, some Medicaid programs will die at the beginning of the state's fiscal year, which is July 1. While the poorest Illinois residents will continue to receive benefits, parents making more than 133% of the federal poverty guidelines - about $20,000 a year for a two-person household - will see their coverage under Family Care cut.

Also part of the $2.7 billion package designed to save Medicaid is the cigarette tax hike, which is supposed to generate about $350 million.

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