Suburban lawmaker: Tax runaway legislators

SPRINGFIELD — Upset with Wisconsin and Indiana Democratic lawmakers hiding out in Illinois, a suburban Republican lawmaker says the out-of-state politicians should pay Illinois income taxes on the legislative salaries they’re earning while they’re here.

That way, Rep. Michael Tryon of Crystal Lake says, they’ll go home and get to work.

The state already collects income taxes from most movie production crews and visiting sports teams based on the time they’re filming or playing in Illinois. The runaway lawmakers should be included, too, Tryon said.

In proposing taxing the runaway lawmakers, Tryon said the current law is “silly,” but it should at least be fair.

“Our silly law and their silly maneuver are going to collide,” he said. “If the Packers get taxed for working in Illinois, why shouldn’t Wisconsin legislators?”

The Packers are exempt, though.

It is true that Illinois law requires most professional sports teams and movie crews to pay state income taxes while working in the state. However, department of revenue spokeswoman Susan Hofer said Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kentucky and Iowa are exempt from the out-of-state income tax law for professional sports teams.

Wisconsin Senate Democrats fled their state last week to prevent a vote on legislation that would revoke collective bargaining rights for public employee unions. The Democrats said they would hold out until the Republicans were ready to compromise.

The lawmakers have appeared on TV and said they are working on amendments and negotiations.

“If we pass this law, they’ll get out the first day,” Tryon said. “Maybe Indiana goes to Wisconsin and Wisconsin goes to Indiana, but they ought to go home and do their jobs.”