Yesterday, Governor Quinn signed in to law transparency legislation spearheaded by Americans for Prosperity and State Representative Michael Tryon (R – Crystal Lake). House Bill 35 will create the “Illinois Accountability Portal” requiring the Department of Central Management Services to create a transparent website with information regarding state expenditures, tax credits, state employee salaries and state contracts.

“I am proud to have worked with Americans for Prosperity on this initiative. After a two-year battle taxpayers will now have an opportunity to see how their hard earned tax dollars are being spent. I will continue to advocate for the type of common sense reforms that protect taxpayers and hold our government to the highest of standards,” said Rep. Tryon.

This years version of the Illinois Accountability Portal (House Bill 35) received bi-partisan support as well as support from several grassroots organizations, trade associations, press associations, and taxpayer protection groups, despite strong opposition from labor unions who did not believe salaries of state employees should be made public.

“We are pleased that Governor Quinn has signed HB 35 into law. Transparency is the first step towards holding our elected officials accountable for how they spend our tax dollars. Now, we must ensure that implementation takes place within the 12 month time span dictated by the act.” said Americans for Prosperity’s state director Joe Calomino.  

“Americans for Prosperity will continue to encourage the governor to have the courage to take bold steps and enact the types of reforms that will begin to regain the public’s trust in our state government,” said Calomino.