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Illinois 31st State Senate District
Bond Encourages Constituents to Participate in State Budget Process
Wednesday February 24, 2010
SPRINGFIELD, IL— State Senator Michael Bond (D-Grayslake) today announced his support for a new Web site that will provide greater transparency in the state budget process. The site, www.budget.illinois.gov , is the product of House Bill 2240. This bill, which passed the legislature earlier this month, requires the Office of the Governor to create and administer a Web site that provides the general public with the preliminary state revenues and expenditures for fiscal year 2011. The bill also allows the Governor to push back his budget address to March 10th, an event that is typically reserved for the third week of February. The Web site was launched at noon today.
“The original bill allowed the Governor to delay his budget address and provided access to state budget numbers only to members of the General Assembly,” Bond said. “I voted against the initial measure because the budget is an issue that we must address now. We cannot afford to delay it any further.”
Bond did vote in favor of an amendment to the bill that required access to the preliminary state revenues and expenditures for the general public.
“This is a great first step opening up the budget process,” Bond stated. “The people of Illinois deserve to know the severity of our situation and we need to give them the opportunity to voice their concerns and priorities. This site will allow the public to make recommendations to streamline the budget and reduce the current budget deficit. I encourage residents of the 31st District to get involved and let their voices be heard.”
During his time in the Senate, Bond has been a staunch proponent of transparency and accountability in state government. He has introduced multiple bills during this legislative session to improve these areas.
Senate Resolution 609 directs the Auditor General to conduct a management audit of the State’s financial reporting system. In addition, the resolution requires a survey of other states to be completed in order to determine any advantages or disadvantages of their methods of financial reporting. Finally, the Auditor General must report his findings to the General Assembly within one year of the investigation.
Senate Bill 3313 also provides greater transparency and reform by addressing conflicts of interests in state contracts. Under Bond’s bill, municipal officers will not be allowed to participate in contracts where they own or hold an interest of 1% or less of a company seeking to do business with the municipality. The bill also prohibits the awarding of a contract if the company of interest is currently doing business with the municipality.
“We have made considerable progress in ethics reform and transparency during the 96th General Assembly,” Bond said. “But there is plenty of room for improvement in these areas. Illinoisans deserve an open an honest state government, and I will continue to support this cause throughout the legislative session.”
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