Jones Backs Measure that would Force Trump to Share Business Deals, Tax Information with Public

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, is working to force President Donald Trump to shed light on his finances, reveal potential conflicts of interest and show to what extent the White House is being used to inflate the profits of his corporate empire. Jones is sponsoring legislation that would require all presidential candidates to release their tax returns in order to appear on the ballot in Illinois.

“Donald Trump doesn’t want us to know anything about his finances. He doesn’t want us to know who he does business with, who he owes, or how the decisions he makes as president are being influenced by his own personal greed,” Jones said. This is unacceptable for the American people. Releasing tax returns has long been a common practice for candidates running for president, and regardless of what Donald Trump may think, we still deserve to know whether our president is making the best decisions for us, or just the best decisions for him.”

Jones’ House Bill 780 would require any presidential candidate to release their previous five years of tax returns at least 50 days prior to the election. Failure to comply with the new law would ban the candidate from appearing on the ballot in Illinois. The bill mirrors similar proposals that have been made in New York, California, Massachusetts and Maine.

“It’s important for Illinois to take steps to ensure the president is making decisions to benefit the whole country, not their own pocketbook,” Jones said. “This is a commonsense measure to shed more light on all those who run for the highest office in the land and preserve the integrity of the office.”