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Blagojevich started a state-wide bus tour in Chicago today.

At a press conference that felt more like a campaign rally than a speech about the budget, Blagojevich said lobbyists who oppose the plan are just wrong.

Blagojevich: “We are on the right side of this issue. We are on the side of the people. This is going to be armageddon and as Teddy Roosevelt said, ‘We are on the side of the Lord.’ Let’s take our message to Springfield and pass tax fairness and health care and education. Thank you and God bless you.”

One key to Blagojevich’s plan: a huge tax hike for big companies.

The head of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association says raising the gross receipts tax would just increase prices for consumers.

For Chicago Public Radio, I’m Tony Arnold.