With $25 billion in taxpayer funds at stake in the proposed state capital budget, we need every taxpayer to join our effort to pass House Bill 1, legislation that will outlaw pay-to-play state contracts in
Illinois.
Under the pay-to-play system, vested interests who make major contributions to state-level political campaigns are rewarded with hefty state contracts - paid for by your tax dollars. These pay-to-play contracts can impose a hidden tax when those campaign contributors are rewarded with unjustified contracts that yield extraordinary profits for less-than-extraordinary performance.
The proposed bill to outlaw pay-to-play state contracts has strong bipartisan support from legislators. It passed the Illinois House 116-0, and 46 out of 59 state senators have co-sponsored it as well.
Nevertheless, Senate President Emil Jones has so far refused to call the bill for a vote in his chamber.
So I am asking every concerned taxpayer in Illinois to join me in calling on Governor Blagojevich to help end pay-to-play in the Land of Lincoln.
I have sent a public letter to the Governor asking him to urge his ally, Senate President Jones, to call HB1 for an immediate vote in the State Senate. If the Senate President refuses, I have asked Governor Blagojevich to sign an executive order that would prevent elected officials from doling out hefty state contracts to their campaign contributors.
If you agree that Illinois needs this tough new ethics law to make sure our taxpayers get full value for their money, please visit our Web site, StandingUpForIllinois.org, to send an e-mail to the Governor.
With $25 billion in taxpayer funds at stake, we cannot risk any loss of public confidence in the integrity of our state government. Let’s pass House Bill 1 and abolish pay-to-play state contracts today.

Pat Quinn
Lt. Governor

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