Bill Brady Adopts Audit As First Priority

June 17, 2010
Bill Brady Adopts Audit As First Priority
Illinois Review
by Maria Rodriguez

Bill Brady gets it: the people of Illinois want to know how the public funds are being spent.

At a kickoff fundraiser for state senate candidate, Cedra Crenshaw, Brady said, “The other day I was asked, ‘What is the first thing that I’d do as governor?’ I said, ‘Order an audit!’’ “The people of Illinois deserve to know what our books look like…not just a fiscal audit but a management audit…. I don’t want to be saddled with the sins of the Blagojevich/Quinn era!”

Brady can use the audit to rifle-shoot the waste, graft, abuse, corruption, mis-spending, and duplication of state spending. Targeting the billions of dollars in patronage hires, grants, contracts and a systemically bloated governmental structure, the forensic audit is a tool to cut spending. With a budget deficit of $13 billion and a “no tax” pledge, Bill Brady recognizes the importance of the audit. Given the applause in room, the people of Illinois recognize the importance as well.

Over the course of just a few weeks last spring, 14,000 people signed petitions in support of the “Open the Books” initiative. Hundreds of thousands of emails mobilized activists who called legislators. Throughout Illinois, fifty thousand people wore “Open the Books” stickers at Illinois tea parties and Republican party events. During a 45 day period of the legislative session, nearly 160 media interviews, articles and opinion pieces on tv, radio, internet and newspaper described the forensic audit.

The “Open the Books” initiative is sponsored by For The Good Of Illinois. For The Good of Illinois is a non-profit grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to transparency, accountability and limited government. Adam Andrzejewski is the Founder and CEO of For The Good of Illinois, author of the Illinois Forensic Audit Act and former gubernatorial candidate. Maria Rodriquez, Executive Director of For The Good Of Illinois, is a former candidate for Congress in the 8th Congressional District and a twice elected Mayor of Long Grove, Illinois.