Illinoisans who filed paper tax returns see delays

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Department of Revenue says many Illinoisans who filed their 2011 tax returns the old-fashioned way are still waiting for their refund checks.

Department spokeswoman Sue Hofer didn’t have any estimates Thursday of how many of the returns filed on paper rather than electronically have been delayed. But she says they’re moving more slowly than they did last year.

Hofer tells The (Bloomington) Pantagraph that the Revenue Department has 25 to 30 fewer workers processing paper refunds because of the state’s budget squeeze.

Hofer says the department had hoped to get 80 percent of returns filed electronically but only got about 70 percent, which also contributed to the delay.

Hofer says Illinoisans who use the online system and direct deposit can get their refund within a week.