Macon Reporter

State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) has reservations about legislation that would require tax returns for registered vehicles, boats, aircraft and trailers to be filed electronically. 

Rose spoke about his apprehension during a Feb. 16 debate about the bill on the Senate floor. He questioned why this should become law, when some state agencies won't even answer the phone.

"I have constituents who call phone numbers every day in this state and get nowhere — FOID cards, concealed carry, unemployment insurance you name it," Rose said. "No one answers the phone in this state when they get called. nobody. I don't know where they're at. It just rings forever. They you get put on hold. And the best part is when you're on hold for 45 minutes and then it says, 'we're sorry,' and then it hangs up on you."

The legislation, Senate Bill 3189, would make changes to the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act that would go into effect in January of next year.

"I'm not going to vote for a phone number for anything until the second floor can prove they are answering the phone calls they are already getting," Rose said. "Every agency in this state is collapsing under its own weight. Every one."

The Senator said he would vote against the legislation "on principle."

"This is probably a good idea, and I'd suspect these are already filed electronically anyway, but I don't for one minute think someone is going to pick up the phone when someone calls," Rose said. 

The bill passed anyway and moved on to the House of Representatives where it is currently in the Rules Committee.

According to the Illinois General Assembly website, the legislation was sponsored in the Senate by  Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake). 

Following the debate on the Senate Floor, it passed with a 49-5 vote.