Peoria, IL... State Representative David Leitch (R-Peoria) today signed on as a co-sponsor of HB 4622, a bill that would help to re-fund the popular Monetary Assistance Program (MAP) Grants to college students for the Spring Semester in 2010.
To pay for the grant program, HB4622 would allow delinquent taxpayers to pay what they owe in income and sales taxes to the state during a month and a half period in early 2010 with NO interest or penalty.
The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability estimates this amnesty program for individuals and corporations that did not pay their taxes on time between June 20, 2002 and January 15, 2010 could bring in approximately $104.9 million in revenue owed that would then be deposited into the Illinois Student Assistance Commission Monetary Award Program fund. $200 million was cut from the MAP program this budget year.
Rep. David Leitch is cosponsoring the measure in the Illinois House, hoping to have it called for a vote during the upcoming veto session to ensure students receive the assistance they desperately need to continue their studies.
"Many of these students were accepted into colleges and universities throughout Illinois under the assumption this money would be there to assist them," said Leitch. "Now the Democrats have pulled the rug out from under them and left them floundering to pay for their education. It's just not right. This bill takes us part of the way in remedying a situation created by dysfunction and incompetence."
According to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, almost 140,000 students receive assistance through the MAP Program. Grants are awarded based upon financial need and can total up to $4,968 per year.
The last tax amnesty program, established through legislation in 2003, collected $279.7 million in delinquent taxes for the State of Illinois.