Point to ‘Sunshine Week’ as best time to reinforce transparency

March 15, 2011

Sen. Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) and Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) are urging Gov. Pat Quinn to act on legislation they say will create much-needed transparency and public accountability within the executive appointment process.

Senate Bill 1 removes all expired gubernatorial appointees who collect a salary, and further clarifies the state’s executive appointment process to ensure Senate lawmakers fulfill their constitutional obligation to review and confirm gubernatorial appointees. The legislation was filed in response to reports that both the Blagojevich and Quinn administrations have allowed gubernatorial appointments to expire, and have not taken steps to replace or re-appoint the position. Currently, Illinois is spending more than $5 million annually on these expired salaried positions.

In a letter sent to the Governor on Mar. 14, Senators Radogno and Cullerton said his approval of Senate Bill 1, “will fulfill the promise you made to Illinois citizens to ‘fumigate state government’ and the pledge to work with lawmakers to restore trust in our state offices and officials.”

The Senate leaders noted that “Sunshine Week” provides a great opportunity for Quinn to sign the legislation, which they believe is, “the next step in this journey to restore public trust.”

You can read their letter to Gov. Quinn here.