As I focused on the front page of Saturday’s Chicago Sun-Times, I saw something other than what I suspect the editors wanted me to see.

The Federal payroll tax cut exactly equals the 67% income tax hike imposed on Illinois taxpayers last year.

“$80 a month”

“What tax cut extension means to you”

Four twenty dollar bills, the top one not well enough printed to pass at the local store.

But, wait, I thought.

The continuation of the two percentage point tax cut is exactly the same amount as the cost for the two percentage point income state tax enacted by Springfield Democrats.

Almost as much of a Quincidence as Governor Pat Quinn’s appointing still another state legislator who promised not to vote for an income tax hike, but did so after losing the 2010 general election.

The Federal action, I would observe, means Illinois taxpayers will not feel the pinch of the 67% state income tax hike until after the 2012 elections.