Scherer Calls on Governor to Sign Bill to Promote Good Government and Transparency

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A measure backed by Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, that would require the Governor to begin disclosing the full size of his budget and the cost of his staff was recently sent to the Governor’s desk. Scherer is calling on Rauner to sign the widely supported, bipartisan Truth in Hiring Act.

“We owe it to the people of Illinois to be honest about where taxpayer money is going.  Illinoisans’ hard earned dollars that are going to state agencies like the Department of Children and Family services or the Department of Veterans Affairs should be put to good use, not towards the bloated salary of one of the Governor’s staffers,” said Scherer.  “When the Governor hides the true size of his budget, he is being dishonest with Illinois taxpayers and is taking away important resources from state agencies.”

Scherer sponsored House Bill 5121, the Truth in Hiring Act, which passed with strong bipartisan support in both the Illinois House and Senate.  The measure would require Governor Rauner to disclose the full size of his budget, and would require the Governor’s staff to be paid out of his budget, and not out of the budget of other vital state agencies that need those funds to provide services to vulnerable residents.

“If the Governor were honestly reporting all the people working in his office, he would have to disclose his office budget is more than $10 million, instead of the $4.9 million that is budgeted for the current fiscal year,” said Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.  “That’s more than $5 million being taken away from agencies that need it, like the Department of Children and Family Services that investigates child abuse; or the Department of Aging that cares for Illinois’ seniors.”

For more information, please call Rep. Scherer’s constituent service office at 217-877-9636 or email StateRepSue@gmail.com.  Scherer represents the 96th District, which includes portions of Christian, Macon and Sangamon counties.