(Chicago, IL) — October 25, 2010. State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) today joined government accountability advocates to announce legislation to require more disclosure of economic and personal financial interests by Illinois candidates and elected public officials.
“Politicians and those who serve in positions of public trust are getting away with revealing only the bare minimum of their interests,” Kotowski said. “Unfortunately, there are far too many instances of conflicts of interest that have led to corruption and fraud in Illinois. Boosting disclosure and transparency at the outset is a crucial step toward government accountability.”
The legislation, Senate Bill 2216, significantly increases the personal and economic disclosure reporting requirements including financial liabilities, past political donations and the interests of family members.
Cindi Canary, Director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform said that Illinois’ current economic and personal interest exposure requirements are embarrassingly weak.
“ICPR has long advocated for improved reporting on Statements of Economic Interest to insure that the personal interests of public officials don’t conflict with the public interest.”
If approved, Kotowski’s proposed legislation would take immediate effect and would require public officials to file supplemental reports to the Secretary of State’s office.
Gov. Pat Quinn
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