Illinois Senate passes grant transparency proposal
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois lawmakers have advanced a plan to make state grants more transparent as legislators investigate Gov. Pat Quinn's mismanaged Chicago anti-violence program.
Senators voted 45-6 on Thursday on a proposal that would apply to about $8 billion given annually to nongovernmental organizations. It would require grant applicants to disclose financial information, conflicts of interest and employee criminal records.
Democratic state Sen. Dan Kotowski of Park Ridge sponsored the legislation. He says it'll save taxpayers money by reducing waste.
Republican state Sen. Jason Barickman of Bloomington says the plan doesn't do enough to eliminate wrongdoing.
He's leading the legislative inquiry into Quinn's 2010 program.
Quinn's spokeswoman says the governor has been supportive of the legislation from the beginning.
The measure goes to the House.