Commentary

Last week, I participated in a gubernatorial debate between Gov. Pat Quinn and Sen. Bill Brady. The program aired on ABC7 and the executive director of the Better Government Association and ABC’s political reporter were also on the media panel.

We were each allowed three questions.

My first question was regarding line items: designated funds for specific groups or organizations, which can receive millions of dollars. No accountability or transparency is an absolute requirement for the privilege. Line items stay in the budget, unless the governor uses his veto power to remove them.

This is significant because the money could disappear and go to other sources.

There could be nonprofits receiving huge amounts, without justification. I asked Quinn to explain why these groups receive these funds. What are the standards? Are they held accountable as to how they’ve spent the money? For how long do they receive the financial support and are the programs’ results a factor for future funding?

Follow the money
Quinn said he was pushing budget reform to analyze each line item and decide on its future. He accused Brady of opposing the plan and said he had made many budget cuts, including his own salary.

Brady said Quinn could have used his veto power to reduce costs, but did not, despite line items providing secret ways of funding to special interest groups.

These items could be fronts to funnel money elsewhere. After all, we’re one of the most crooked states in the country. If not number one, then as an Illinois FBI director said, “If it isn’t the most corrupt state in the U.S., it’s certainly one hell of a competitor.”

When I asked Quinn to be specific, he said the ...