Yingling Vows to Fight Governor’s Rejection of Transparency Legislation

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – State Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is vowing action in response to Gov. Rauner’s rejection of legislation that would require state agencies to offer more transparency with spending levels, debt and interest owed.

“You can’t run a business if you don’t know what your expenses are, and government is no different,” said Yingling. “Gov. Rauner is trying to run our government without fully knowing its expenses, and middle-class families are getting stuck with the bill.”

The Yingling-supported House Bill 3649, the Debt Transparency Act, is an initiative of Comptroller Susana Mendoza and would require state agencies to provide monthly disclosures of their unpaid bills, as well as the penalties from resulting interest. Illinois owes at least $800 million in penalties as a result of agencies that are too slow in reporting liabilities. By forcing state agencies to report liabilities in a quicker and more transparent manner, the legislation would protect hard-earned, taxpayer dollars from mismanagement. Yingling is thus calling for the legislature to override the governor’s veto.

“The governor should not be trying to keep the state’s books a secret,” Yingling said. “I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to stand with Illinois taxpayers and vote to override the governor’s veto.”