Lobbying efforts by Illinois schools to support Gov. James Thompson’s tax proposal would be a “misappropriate” way to spend money, said Representative John Countryman, (R-DeKalb).

Governing boards of Illinois universities support the proposed tax increase, but only the Board of Regents called for lobbying efforts to support the increase. The Regents also warned tuition might be raised by as much as 20 percent if the tax increase is not passed by the General Assembly.

The tax proposal includes raising the state’s income tax and broadening the state sales tax base to include items such as entertainment.

The Regents, which govern NIU, Illinois State University in Normal and Sangamon State University in Springfield, asked the three schools to “mount a comprehensive information campaign encouraging legislative support of revenue enhancement measures,” said Regents Chancellor Roderick Groves.

Thompson supports the Regents’ efforts, said Jim Bray, a spokesman for Thompson. Bray said it is a good idea to get as many people involved in the tax debate as possible. He said the next two months are crucial to the bill because the general assembly probably will vote on the proposal before the end of June.

Bray said he had not heard of lobbying efforts being planned by any other college governing board. However, Gov. Thompson sent letters to college presidents earlier this year asking for support of the increase, Bray said. The letter explained what would be cut if the increase was not approved and requested help to get the proposal through the general assembly.

The Regents supports the tax increase and, at its April meeting, urged schools to distribute information to parents, alumni and students in support of the increase, Groves said. The information is not tied to any group or means, he said, adding, “It is a general statement seeking to develop support (for the tax increase).” The contents of the information is up to each of the presidents of the three schools, he said.

Countryman said it would be “a dangerous thing” for the three universities to spend money to print letters or other literature to send to alumni, parents or students.

NIU President John LaTourette said he has not decided yet if or how NIU will distribute information.

Governing bodies of other schools have not proposed such efforts. Donald Coe, university director of public affairs at the University of Illinois at Champaign, said the Board of Trustees governing U of I had talked about lobbying efforts at its April meeting but did not take a formal vote on the issue. He said he did not know whether a tuition increase at U of I would be necessary if the tax increase did not pass.

James Brown, vice chancellor of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, said SIU is “much in favor” of the tax increase, but would not send letters in support of the increase. He said SIU has the lowest tuition in the state and it probably would not be raised even if the tax increase is not passed by the Illinois legislature.