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Illinois collects taxes from gas stations

SPRINGFIELD - Officials say Illinois has received $100 million in sales taxes owed by gas station owners who didn't pay all they owed.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan's special prosecutions bureau and the Illinois Department of Revenue's bureau of criminal investigation are involved in an ongoing operation against service station owners who under-reported revenues to avoid taxes.

Madigan's office says 50 have been charged. Forty have been convicted and many of those imprisoned.

The crackdown has led to a stronger law against scofflaws. Madigan initiated the measure which took effect in January. It created stronger penalties and gave prosecutors greater ability to pursue Illinois businesses that evade sales taxes.

Madigan's office says since the Democrat took office in 2003, it has collected more than $10 billion in revenue through litigation and collection efforts.

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