IL Lawmakers Suggest More Disclosure About Finances

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Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon says politicians should disclose more information about their financial interests to help restore state residents’ faith in government. Simon and Sen. Dan Kotowski are introducing the legislation Thursday that would overhaul the state’s 40-year-old financial disclosure system.

Thousands of elected officials, candidates and government employees are required to fill out certain forms each year. But critics say the forms are meaningless because the questions are too narrow and most people answer "none" to everything. That includes former Dixon comptroller Rita Crundwell, who recently pled guilty to embezzling more than $50 million from the small town to fund her horse-breeding operation. Simon's office says that if the newly proposed forms were in use, Crundwell would have been required to disclose her assets.