Press Release: Cross: “Let the Sunshine In” on IL Government

March 12, 2010

Cross: “Let the Sunshine In” on IL government

Rep. Cross’ bill HB4836 passes the Illinois House

(Springfield) Rep. Tom Cross’ (R-Oswego) bill that would create a Sunshine Commission unanimously passed the Illinois House this week.  This new commission would conduct a top to bottom review of state government programs. 

“Doing a complete and thorough review of state government is long overdue-we hope this commission recommends ways we can reform, cut and streamline government programs,” said Cross.  

House Bill 4836 creates the Sunshine Commission Act.  The four legislative leaders will each appoint one member to the commission and one member of the general public for a total of eight members.  They will be charged to conduct a thorough review of the relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of each “state executive branch program.”  

The commission would have to report its findings to the General Assembly six months after the effective date of this act.  The General Assembly would then have to accept or reject the report within 60 days after the report is filed. 

This concept was pushed forward and is supported by The Illinois Policy Institute. 

“Structural reform begins by making an honest self assessment of what is going right and what is going wrong and then making the necessary changes.  The Sunshine Act is a critical first step in that honest self assessment of Illinois government operations,” said John Tillman, Illinois Policy Institute CEO.  “I congratulate Leader Cross and the Illinois House for passing this urgently needed reform. We hope for similar, quick action in the Senate during this most urgent fiscal crisis that demands decisive action on spending reforms.” 

After getting unanimous support in the House, HB 4836 moves to the Senate for consideration. 

“We asked the Governor create this commission by executive order—and he did, he just has refused to appoint any members to it,” said Cross.  “We have to make this a priority—so if the governor refuses to do it—we must pass this through the legislature.”