Yingling Passes Omnibus Government Transparency Bill

For Immediate Release:

April 30, 2015

For More Information:

State Rep. Sam Yingling

847-231-6262

repsamyingling@gmail.com

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, requiring local governments and school districts to publically disclose how tax dollars are spent passed the House last week.

“As an elected official, I believe it is paramount that government work to cut waste and ensure tax dollars are spent wisely,” Yingling said. “In the digital age, taxpayers should be able to easily track how the government is spending their money. By opening the books on how our tax dollars are being spent, we can hold people accountable for mismanagement.”

Yingling is a Chief sponsor of House Bill 2717 and cast the deciding vote in committee to send the measure to the entire House of Representatives. The measure requires local units of government and school districts whose budgets are greater than $1 million to maintain a public website that discloses information including but not limited to expenditures, elected officials’ contact information, greater enforcement of the Open Meetings Act, and detailed accounts of bids and local development deals.

House Bill 2717 passed with overwhelming bi-partisan support and awaits further action in the Illinois State Senate.

“This bill is about transparency in government,” Yingling stated.” Taxpayers deserve to know who their elected officials are, how to reach them, and how local tax dollars are used. This information should be easily accessible, and increase government accountability to the public.”

Yingling represents the 62nd District, which contains portions of Gages Lake, Grayslake, Hainesville, the Round Lake communities, Wauconda and Wildwood.

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