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Last updated 6:38 am CT February 09, 2010.
IL Department of Revenue Calls Out Delinquents
They are publishing the names of delinquent tax payers on their website for all to see, trying to shame them into paying up.
It appears to be working; the state reports they have collected $15-million so far.
According to the new public list on the department of revenue’s website, southern Illinois has its fair share of those who owe the state thousands of dollars.
News three visited some of them to ask how they feel about the publication.
The web site claims the attorneys of a Marion law office owe more than $18,000.
They tell us they are working out a payment plan to get their names off the list.
A resident in West Frankfort owes the state more than $45,000 dollars.
At first he declined to be interviewed, but as we were leaving he confronted us in the street.
I asked him how he could justify a debt of that size, and he told us the economy was to blame.
Records show his debt dates back to 2001.
We asked the state why they feel they can publicly shame people into paying, Illinois Department of Revenue representative, Susan Hofer had this to say, "We think it's only fair with the state of Illinois in such a budget crunch that everyone who owes money pay their fair share!"
The Illinois Department of Revenue can also garnish wages and put liens on property.
They say it's a vicious cycle, since the state is not getting money from taxpayers, it’s hard for the state to pay off the billions of dollars they owe.
By: Christen Craig
ccraig@wsiltv.com
Now: 1265719806
