Ill. reform commission urges open government

Gov. Patrick Quinn's reform commission has urged him to take immediate action to make Illinois government more open and transparent.

"Transparency in government is fundamental to curing the culture of corruption in Illinois government," chairman Patrick Collins said yesterday (Wednesday) in a letter to Quinn.

The commission's report isn't due until April, but Collins says it's important for Quinn to act now because its "preliminary findings give us serious concerns."

The commission urged Quinn to issue an order requiring state agencies to comply with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act by responding to requests quickly and with "a presumption of disclosure."