Chambana Sun

State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) said he would vote against legislation that requires tax returns for registered vehicles, boats, aircraft, and trailers to be filed electronically.

Rose made his opposition known during a debate about the bill on the Senate floor, questioning why the legislation would be helpful when some state agencies won’t answer phone calls if there is a problem.

“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. Then 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, is sponsored by Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) and would alter the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. It would go into effect in January 2023.

"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 told his fellow senators. "Every agency in this state is collapsing under its own weight. Every one."

The bill passed, 49-5, despite Rose's concerns and moved on to the House of Representatives where it is currently in the Rules Committee.

"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.