Statements of Economic Interest

Syndicate content Get this feed!

Politicians get rich at taxpayer expense

November 18, 2011
The Beacon News

By Jeff Ward

It isn’t often that “60 Minutes” pays a visit to this Illinois political backwater. And with senior correspondent Steve Kroft no less! Had it been Scott Pelley, we’d all have hung our heads in shame at the thought of having to endure all those Chicago Democratic machine sneers, taunts and giggles.

Read More...



Related Links:

Chicago Alderman Jason Ervin's 28th Ward Office: 'A Rathole'

September 12, 2011
Fox Chicago 32

By Dane Placko, FOX Chicago News

Chicago - Residents of Chicago's 28th Ward say Ald. Jason Ervin's office in the 200 block of North Pulaski looks like a dump.

We walked in with a camera and found missing ceiling tiles, water stains, exposed wires and ducts, dangling extension cords, chips and cracks and stains on the floors, and a propane tank hiding in the corner.

Read More...



Related Links:

Markowitz Fined $20,000 for Wife’s Free Overseas Trips

July 25, 2011
New York Times

By Liz Robbins

When Brooklyn’s borough president, Marty Markowitz, took trips to Turkey and the Netherlands on official city business several years ago, he also accepted free travel expenses for his wife, Jamie Markowitz.

The city’s Conflicts of Interest Board deemed it an ethical violation and fined him $20,000, according to the findings released on Monday.

Read More...



Related Links:

Angry enough? Demand reforms in politics now? (Editorial)

July 3, 2011
Bloomington Pantagraph

By The Pantagraph Editorial Board

One former governor in prison and another on his way — that should be enough to rekindle the fire for political ethics reform that was ignited following the arrest and impeachment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Blagojevich’s conviction on federal political corruption charges should provide a spark, but it’s up to the public to fan the flames.

“In an odd way, having this come up again … is an opportunity for us to focus on what needs to be done,” said Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon.

Read More...



Related Links:

Our Opinion: Don’t let reforms languish (Editorial)

July 3, 2011
State Journal-Register

Where corruption was concerned, Rod Blagojevich was something of a freak of nature.

Read More...



Related Links:

A patriotic agenda: Make elected officials report income

July 1, 2011
Chicago Sun-Times

 By Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon

Hot dogs, hamburgers and reform. That’s what we’re asking for this patriotic holiday.

After Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested in December 2008, we got a first crack at reform. Now that the former governor has been convicted on 17 counts of corruption, we should get real change.

Read More...



Related Links:

FACT CHECK: Bachmann bomblets raising eyebrows

June 28, 2011
AP via Yahoo News

By Calvin Woodward and Jim Drinkard

Michele Bachmann's claim that she has "never gotten a penny" from a family farm that's been subsidized by the government is at odds with her financial disclosure statements. They show tens of thousands in personal income from the operation.

Read More...



Related Links:

County unveils online economic interest database

June 21, 2011
Northwest Times

Cook County Clerk David Orr on Tuesday launched a new online database for the nearly 24,000 Statements of Economic Interest filed by elected officials and public employees in Cook County.

The website is part of an ongoing effort to increase transparency and shed light on how government works.

"We've moved from an old-fashioned paper system to online filing and a searchable website in order to make these public disclosure statements more accessible to taxpayers, watchdog groups and the media," Orr said.

Read More...



Related Links:

After Blagojevich -- finishing the job of reforming Illinois

June 29, 2011
Crains Chicago Business

by Greg Hinz
    Now that we've all had 48 hours to pat ourselves on the back about how the jury slam-dunked Rod Blagojevich, it's time to turn to the real task: how to finish the job of reforming Illinois.

   Mr. Blagojevich's conviction, following that of his predecessor in the governor's office, George Ryan, certainly has resulted in some changes.

Read More...



Related Links: