FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 6, 2008       
Contact: Joe Calomino (847) 204-8514

Grassroots Group Rallies Support in Springfield for Transparency Legislation

Labor Unions Vehemently Opposed Transparent Government

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois chapter of Americans for Prosperity (AFP-IL) applauds Reps. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) and Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) for their introduction of House Bill 4765.  This legislation that would require the Department of Central Management Services to create the Illinois Accountability Portal providing taxpayers with online access to information detailing state expenditures, tax credits, state employee salaries, state contracts and other important information.

“Americans for Prosperity is proud to be working with Reps. Tryon and Franks who have been instrumental in spearheading this important legislation.  We have been working hard on the transparency issue across the state and are thrilled to have strong support in Springfield” said AFP-IL State Director Joe Calomino.

“With a former governor serving prison time for practicing a culture of pay-to-play politics and our current governor under federal investigation, a transparent government is absolutely crucial” said Rep. Tryon.  Tryon went to comment on the role AFP-IL has played in the process, “This legislation was suggested to me by Americans for Prosperity, a leader in the transparency movement both at the state and national level.”   

Curiously, unions have spoken out against the bill and lobbied against it at committee hearings.  “I cannot believe that labor unions would be against such sound public policy,” said Calomino. “The integrity of government spending is at question here, why on earth is labor opposed to this– unless they have something to hide?”

“This is a bi-partisan piece of legislation and is being co-sponsored by Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock).  This isn’t a Republican issue. Last year a similar transparency bill received support in the House and Senate by Republicans and Democrats alike,” said Rep. Tryon. “However, Senate President Emil Jones would not call it for a vote, making false promises to introduce a stronger transparency bill.  I could not wait any longer and decided to introduce my own transparency bill.”

AFP already has a proven track record of leadership in transparency reform, including state level reform in Kansas and Oklahoma and strong support for the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act.

Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFPF believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFPF educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org.
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