OpenTheBooks.com is dedicated to promoting HR 1057, introduced by House Leader Tom Cross and Adam Andrzejewski, which calls for a forensic audit of Illinois state spending. The purpose of the audit is to identify and eliminate waste, fraud and corruption.
State Representative Patty Bellock calls HR 1057, “…the most important piece of legislation in this session.”
On March 10, 2010, Governor Pat Quinn proposed a 33% income tax hike, which would force the average Illinois family to pay an additional $500 in taxes. Governor Quinn and Speaker Madigan continue to say there’s no place to cut from the state budget, while asking Illinois families to cut from their budgets during these tough economic times.
An audit provides a sensible alternative to Governor Quinn’s proposed tax hike and forces Speaker Madigan to defend every dime of Illinois state spending before reaching into the wallets of taxpayers.
A forensic audit is the application of accounting methods to track and collect forensic evidence, usually for investigation and prosecution of criminal acts such as embezzlement or fraud.
A financial audit is the review of the financial statements of a company or any other legal entity, resulting in the publication of an independent opinion on whether or not those financial statements are relevant, accurate, complete, and fairly presented.
To learn more about government transparency and audits please visit forthegoodofillinois.com.
We simply cannot afford Governor Quinn's proposed 33% tax increase. It's no secret that we're in the midst of a serious economic downturn, which many are referring to as the "Great Recession".
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average Midwestern household is made up of 2.4 persons and has before-tax income of $61,063. Let’s say they have taxable income of $50,000. They’d pay an additional $500 in taxes under Governor Quinn’s plan, on top of the $1,500 they’re already paying in state income taxes, for a total of $2,000.
Illinois is currently in the company of states like California, and our lack of fiscal discipline is largely to blame. In 2008, the Pew Center on the States’ Government Performance Project graded states on how well they manage their money. Illinois received a C-. Only California and Rhode Island scored lower.
Let's take a look at a few of the disturbing spending trends in Illinois: spending increased 39% from 1998 to 2008; per capita spending increased 31% over the last 10 years; and the state budget increased 30% between 2004 and 2009.
We must demand that our elected officials analyze state spending before reaching into the wallets of Illinois taxpayers.
Governor Quinn and Speaker Madigan continue to say there’s no place to cut from the state budget, while asking Illinois families to cut from their budgets. We believe there's plenty of room to cut from the state budget.
The Illinois Policy Institute joined with Citizens Against Government Waste to put together the 2010 Illinois Piglet Book, identifying over $350 million in wasteful spending including $6,500 for a tub of live bass, $353,165 for car racing, $10,000 for a Batman gala, and $78,066 for quail promotion.
An audit would uncover items like these plus many more. Kansas did it and saved $1 billion. Texas saved $8 billion.
We've all read the headlines, "Illinois governor charged in scheme to sell Obama's seat." "Former Illinois governor guilty in corruption case."
Since 1971, over 1,000 people in Illinois have been convicted of political corruption, including 4 governors. Terms like the "Chicago Way" and "corruption tax" have become the norm.
A forensic audit applies accounting methods to track and collect forensic evidence. This evidence can be used to investigate and prosecute criminal acts.
An audit is the first step to ending Illinois' culture of corruption.