Rep. Sandack Joins Republican Lawmakers in Bill Package to Curb "Golden Parachutes"

State Representative Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) has joined with other Republican lawmakers in the DuPage County area to fight back against a recent severance agreement negotiated by the College of DuPage (COD) Board of Trustees that awarded more than $760,000 to a retiring college president.

“These golden parachute deals are becoming all-too-common with agencies that are funded with taxpayer dollars,” said Sandack. “The public is rightfully outraged over the COD issue and House Republicans are responding with a package of fiscal and election reform bills.”

Sandack is filing two bills this week that should help prevent these large payouts to departing administrators within the public sector. One proposal, which is expected to be filed by the end of the week, would impose a harsh state funding deterrent for boards that use taxpayer resources to fund lucrative buyout deals.

“I want to preserve local control, but believe these boards must face a penalty if they make irresponsible contract decisions with public money,” Sandack said. “Through one of my new bills, these boards would see a dollar-for-dollar decrease in their state funding if they decide to use taxpayer funds in contract buyout or career-ending salary spike deals. I have to believe these board members would be far less likely to engage in these agreements if there’s a measured financial punishment equal to the amount of the payout agreement itself.”

A second bill, filed today as HB495, seeks to move the date of elections for school board members, including college trustees, to November General Elections. Currently those elections are held in spring consolidated elections when voter turnout is traditionally very low. “Property taxes paid to schools represent the largest chunk of tax bills, yet the people who make those taxing decisions are elected at times when voter engagement is extremely low,” said Sandack. “I believe voters would be much more inclined to learn about the people they are electing to their school and community college boards if these elections were moved to the General Election cycle, when big races like Governor and President drive voter engagement.”

Other Republican lawmakers who are filing bills in response to the COD payout deal include:

State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton)
HR55: Directs the Auditor General to conduct a performance audit of the state moneys provided to COD for fiscal years 2011-2014.

In process: Institutes a 14-day public posting requirement and public hearing prior to an approval of a contract with a salary in excess of $150,000.

State Rep. Mark Batnick (R Plainfield)
In process: Provides a recall mechanism for all non-home rule units of governments, including college boards of trustees.

State Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard)
In process: Caps the amount of allowable severance agreements passed by community college trustees to an amount that does not exceed one year’s salary plus benefits.

In process: Bars community colleges from expending state dollars from any state fund, property tax funds or student tuition dollars on severance agreements that exceed the equivalent of one year’s salary plus benefits.

State Rep. Grant Wehrli (R- Naperville)
In process: Shortens college trustee terms of office to four years from six years.

State Rep. Margo McDermed (R- Mokena)
HB303: Includes severance and settlement agreements that use public funds in the freedom of Information Act (FOIA).