Issue Position: Ethics & Transparency

Issue Position

When Mike was Champaign County Auditor, he was recognized by a national organization (Government Finance Officers Association) for his efforts to bring accountability and transparency to county finances. Mike received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting every year he served as County Auditor. While County Auditor Mike achieved the designation of Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), which he currently maintains.

With Mike Frerichs at the helm, the State Treasurer's office will be the most accountable, ethical, and transparent agency in Illinois. Mike will be sure that legislators, business groups, and average citizens know how our tax dollars are being invested and spent.

As the Illinois' chief investment officer and member of the state's pension board which manages a portfolio of $10 billion in state funds and $6 billion pooled from local governments, Mike will offer sound financial leadership. He will strive to keep as much of state's investments as possible and prudent right here in Illinois where it can work to build out the middle class while providing a safe rate of return.

MIKE'S RECORD ON GOOD GOVERNANCE

Mike was the lead sponsor of the bill that barred corrupt former Governor Rod Blagojevich from ever holding elective office in Illinois again. The bill passed unanimously.

Mike also sponsored the Taxpayer Transparency Act that passed the Senate unanimously. It would require all bills making appropriations with taxpayer dollars to be available for public review at least four days on the General Assembly's website before final legislative action could be taken. This is a simple policy that would give the public a better idea of how their tax dollars are being spent.

As part of Mike's effort to change the culture of corruption that too often has plagued state government, Mike successfully led the charge to end the outdated Legislative Scholarship program in 2012. The program was nothing short of an unfunded mandate on our already cash strapped public universities and colleges, and too often led to abuses within the system that benefited the politically connected and not the most needy.

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