Joint House/Senate hearing held in Marion

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Springfield came to Marion Tuesday in the form of a regional hearing of the Joint Committee of the House and Senate Revenue Committees.

Meeting on the stage of the Marion Cultural and Civic Center, the committee was soliciting "testimony and information from the public as to how it could reform the business tax system in the state for the purpose of creating and retaining jobs," said State Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion), a member of the House committee.

The committee heard input from Marion Mayor Robert Butler, Marion Chamber of Commerce President and CEO George Trammell and approximately eight other area citizens.

One of the more pointed suggestions to the committee came from Marion attorney Ron Osman.

"I am here to speak about one specific item, the Illinois Franchise Tax," Osman said. "The sate should do away with the franchise tax."

He suggested that, if the state would not do that, then the tax "should be corrected in such a manner that it is equal and fair."

Osman said Marion Toyota paid $7,848 in franchise tax for the past year while the parent corporation for Heartland Regional Medical Center, just across the street, paid significantly less while operating six hospitals within the state.

"Large corporations can afford consultants, CPAs and attorneys that can structure their businesses so they pay no franchise tax," he said.

"I am not accusing anyone of illegal, immoral or fattening behavior. But I do know it is not fair."

Tim Rodgers of General Tire Co. in Mt. Vernon differed, saying, "The state of Illinois is very business friendly. You only tax a portion of our sales in the state."

Marion was the last stop of a four-city tour by the Springfield legislators. Chicago came first on July 19, followed by Rockford on August 12 and Springfield on August 23.

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