Last Friday night, after the normal media rush, Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Andrzejewski sent out a press release linking to his now-made-public 2008 income tax return, setting into motion (by example) his campaign theme of "Every Dime, Online, All the Time." Adam's tax returns can be found at: www.adamforillinois.com
Adam is advocating that all gubernatorial candidates follow his lead by opening their financial records for public scrutiny online. "Transparency of personal sources of income is a critical ethics policy." says Andrzejewski. "In Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal spearheaded this legislation. After passage, 130 Louisiana public officials from every level of government resigned."
The 37-year-old Hinsdale resident said Illinois has a real need for the same policy as Louisiana's.
"The people of Illinois need to know if their public servants are connected and beholden to special interests, powerful companies or other government entities," he said. "We need to know if our elected officials are profiting from the power of their positions."
Andrzejewski believes that "public service" means serving the citizens of Illinois; not enriching your family, friends, or campaign contributors from public monies.
"After the conviction of Governor George Ryan and arrest of Rod Blagojevich," says Andrzejewski, "Citizens need to hold their elected officials to the highest ethical standards. Posting all sources of officials’ income will greatly improve their ability to do so."
Andrzejewski is running for Governor on a foundation of transparency. His theme - - encapsulates his detailed policy prescriptions, which will open up Illinois state government, including the proactive posting of all state financial information, state documents, and opening up government processes to citizen and press review.
He says he is leading by example by posting his personal sources of income.
Andrzejewski's campaign tactic was featured in the Sun Times columnist Mark Brown HERE.
