Governor Quinn visits Marion One-Stop
Center to launch Tax Counseling Project

Marion, Illinois (January 21, 2010). Governor Pat Quinn visited the One-Stop Business & Employment Center in Marion on Thursday, January 21, to encourage southern Illinois residents to take advantage of FREE tax preparation services available through the Tax Counseling Project. The Center for Economic Progress, in partnership with the state of Illinois, is providing FREE tax preparation services to Illinois families with incomes of less than $50,000 and individuals with incomes of less than $25,000.

Tax preparation services are available at the Marion One-Stop Business & Employment Center every Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., beginning January 23 through April 15, 2010.

Experienced volunteer tax preparers are available to help individuals file income tax returns for current and as well as previous years. In addition, participants have the option to file their returns electronically to receive faster refunds. Last year, according to Site Manager Sheila Scott, the program served 1,700 clients who received a total of $2.4 million in refunds. A single mother — who didn’t think she would get a refund — received a cumulative refund of $11,000, Sheila added.

For additional information about the Tax Counseling Project, including
what items to bring when requesting tax preparation services, visit http://www.economicprogress.org. You may also contact your career specialist, visit the One-Stop Business & Employment Center nearest you, or call 866-611-5627.