Beginning today, it will cost more to get your driver's license in Illinois.

As part of a package of tax and fee increases approved by the General Assembly and Gov. Pat Quinn to fund road construction, driver's license fees for a four-year renewal will go from $10 to $30.

The construction plan was touted as a way to generate jobs during the recession, and there is some evidence that has occurred. But just like there's no free lunch, there's no free construction.

The increase in the driver's license fee will make Illinois one of the highest in the Midwest. Iowa charges $20 for a five-year renewal; Indiana costs $21 for six years; and drivers in Missouri pay $45 for six years.

Secretary of State Jesse White wants to make sure his office doesn't get the blame for the fee increase. "Of course, I have within my offices the ability to put up signs that say, 'I didn't do it,' " White said at a recent campaign event. Nice team player, Secretary White.

At the same time the driver's license fees are increasing, the state also is raising the cost of registering vehicles. For people needing a new license plate sticker, the cost will go from $79 to $89. That's the highest flat rate in the country.

The increased fees are necessarily bad, and a construction plan was badly needed.

But there aren't many of these "hidden taxes" left the state can increase. That's an important point to remember as the state faces a record deficit.

Lawmakers will meet this month in a veto session, and it's possible the state's messed-up budget will be an issue. It's also possible the General Assembly will leave the budget issue alone until January. The problem with ignoring the budget problem is that it gets worse every day that goes by with nothing done. It should be noted that the driver's license and vehicle registration fees went to pay for the capital plan and will have no impact on the state's general fund deficit.

The options for the state are becoming more limited all the time. One option that hasn't received enough attention is for the state to actually cut spending in a time when revenues are hard to come by. Instead, it appears likely the General Assembly will consider a tax increase to solve the budget mess it created.

There are consequences to raising taxes, even seemingly innocent taxes such as driver's license fees. If pressed too hard, taxpayers will elect officials who will cut spending and manage the budget responsibly.