Illinois Policy Institute Calls on Legislature to Consider Transparency Reform
HB 35 is a bipartisan, common-sense approach to reforming government
SPRINGFIELD - Today, the Illinois Policy Institute, a non-partisan think tank, is calling on the leadership in Springfield to consider important transparency reform-a reform that would shine a spotlight on the state spending priorities that have caused the current $11.5 billion deficit.
The Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal (HB 35), sponsored by State Representative Mike Tryon, would create an online searchable database of all state expenditures, including appropriations, consultants, contracts and even salaries of employees, allowing the public to review where their tax dollars go and to whom. Further, this legislation provides the much-needed X-ray machine that will expose the problems in our state (corruption, lack of accountability, pay-to-play politics, ineffective programs, and wasteful spending). HB 35 has received bipartisan support with more than 30 lawmakers cosponsoring this legislation.
"Illinois is a perfect case study on why transparency is needed," said John Tillman, CEO, Illinois Policy Institute. "We've been saddled with corruption and irresponsible spending decisions at the expense of taxpayers and families. Transparency is long overdue."
"One of the keys to increasing accountability in Illinois government is making our system more transparent," said House Republican Leader Tom Cross. "This legislation will help both the public and lawmakers alike in cutting waste and having a clear picture of how government is operating."
"At this point in Illinois' history transparency is more important than ever," said State Representative Mike Tryon, sponsor and author of the Illinois transparency portal legislation. "This legislation would create the most comprehensive state government transparency portal in the nation. Its time has come."
"The transparency portal is like an MRI of state government," said State Representative Michael Connelly. "It helps lawmakers and watchdog groups to immediately identify areas of waste and inefficiency and quickly offer remedies and solutions."
About the Illinois Policy Institute
The Illinois Policy Institute is a nonpartisan research and education organization dedicated to making our state a beacon for liberty and prosperity for all citizens. As a leading voice for economic liberty and government accountability, we engage policy makers, opinion leaders, and citizens in the state and local level by promoting free market principles and liberty-based public policy initiatives for a better Illinois. To learn more about our organization or review our policy briefs, please visit our website at www.illinoispolicyinstitute.org.
