Rep. Cross, Rep. Sandack’s Transparency Bill Advances

SPRINGFIELD –Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and Rep. Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) passed a new transparency initiative out of the Illinois House Tuesday to make state and local government more accountable to taxpayers.

House Bill 1555 allows every property taxpayer to access the details on how their taxes are being spent. The legislation expands the Illinois Transparency Portal (ITAP) to include all taxing bodies and their employee-related expenses, including employee pay and pension costs.

“With all the well-documented fiscal problems Illinois faces, there are some easy things we can do to increase government transparency and save taxpayer money,” Sandack said. “We would like to provide a common and easily accessible place for residents to go to get this important information.”

The Illinois Transparency Portal (ITAP) is already in place and will not require a new website or require a new expense to the Illinois taxpayers. The Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal (ITAP) is maintained and run by the Governor’s office. 

“This will provide a one stop shop for taxpayers to see how the state, their school districts, park districts and other local governments are not only spending their money but also to see what debt is piling up,” added Cross.

HB1555 now goes to the Senate for consideration.