Sente voted against transparency

As a resident of the 59th Illinois House District, I am deeply disappointed in State Rep. Carol Sente’s recent committee vote against a common sense collective bargaining sunshine bill. House Bill 2689 would require all taxing bodies in Illinois to post a proposed collective bargaining agreement online for 14 days, prior to conducting a public hearing and voting on the issue. Costly public employee contracts can constitute up to 75 percent of a local government’s budget.

With so much at stake, taxpayers deserve to know what’s in a contract prior to it being signed into law. How else are we supposed to provide meaningful feedback to elected officials?

Apparently, Rep. Sente would rather have these important employee contracts be negotiated by political insiders in the secret without any meaningful input from the people who end up paying the bills. By voting against the bill, Rep. Sente sent a very clear message that she’s siding with the union lobbyists, who pushed to kill the bill in committee, instead of sticking up for the rights of taxpayers.

Sente once said one of her legislative priorities was, “cleaning up state government by making it more transparent.” Actions speak louder than words. She’s failed to live up to her promises. We deserve better from our elected officials.

Brian Costin

Buffalo Grove