Ransom Notes

The Illinois Treasurer’s office has delayed sending 2009 income tax refunds to taxpayers and has failed to inform the public. It was noticed last week that the Illinois Treasurer’s computer system went “offline” twice and has since posted incorrect messages. In mid-January, electronic filers were informed via the Treasurer’s website that if their return was accepted, a date for the refund had not yet been established. After the state’s computer crashed twice, the Treasurer’s website no longer referred to electronic filings and only announced that mail filers would have to wait twelve weeks for their refunds. In past years, electronic filers received refunds in about eight days.

This reporter sent two emails to the Treasurer’s Press Secretary inquiring about this specific issue, but no response was received.

If transparency is important to the Illinois Treasurer, this situation certainly flies in its face. To delay tax refunds due taxpayers without explanation, especially in this difficult economy, is not an example of good government. Moreover, considering the desperate state of Illinois’ finances, one must wonder if the Treasurer is trying to use the “float” to keep the state’s government from declaring itself bankrupt.

It is time to stop fooling the public. To keep the hard working people of Illinois in the dark about their income tax refunds must stop. It is time for all of us to say, “I’m Mad as Hell, and I’m Not Going To Take It Anymore!”

– s.i. wells