Will County Gazette

Illinois is one step closer to increasing the transparency of state-funded expenditures by municipalities and nonprofits thanks to the House passage of House Bill 682.

“When state project money flows to local units of government or non-government entities, taxpayers have the right to know which legislative districts are receiving the initiative funds and how they will be used,” Rep. David Olsen (R-Downers Grove), the bill’s sponsor, said. “My bill allows taxpayers to follow their tax money from the Illinois budget all the way to the end recipient and project.”

The bill will create online databases for information on state funding for initiatives, allowing Illinoisans to search for information including the recipients, the amount, the funding agency and funding source, the purpose and the state lawmakers within whose districts the initiative is located.

If it becomes law, the measure would take effect on Jan. 1, 2018. It is contingent on funding in an approved budget.

“Once we have a budget, and if a capital bill is approved by this body, the provisions of HB682 will go far in shining a light of transparency on a process that many feel is currently quite convoluted,” Olsen said.