Senator Martin A. Sandoval News

Sandoval-Dillard bill would bring sunshine to more than $1.1 billion in state grant spending

Tuesday, 22 May 2012 12:43

Senate Bill 3773 would expand and strengthen Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal to include grant information

State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) and Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) are sponsoring legislation that would bring accountability and transparency to the way state grant dollars are spent.

During fiscal year 2011, the state handed out more than $1.1 billion in grants to nonprofit organizations across Illinois, yet taxpayers are in the dark about how any of that money was spent. Senate Bill 3773 would rectify this.

“You wouldn’t think twice about asking for an itemized receipt at your local grocer’s or at the end of Friday night dinner at a restaurant,” said Sen. Sandoval. “The state has a greater obligation to do the same thing with organizations that are receiving taxpayer money. When we’re handing out more than $1 billion in grants, and we’re facing real cuts that could hurt Illinoisans, the public has a right to know how this money is being spent. That’s what this legislation does, and that’s why it’s so powerful.”

Sen. Dillard, who was chief co-sponsor of the 2009 legislation that created the state’s existing transparency portal, echoed Sen. Sandoval’s support for the bill.

“Two years ago I was a chief cosponsor of legislation that resulted in the Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal. The portal established an unprecedented level of transparency in Illinois, a state that has been dogged by corruption for years,” said Sen. Dillard. “Today we take the next step forward. Beyond telling taxpayers how much money was spent, this bill empowers citizens to know how the money was spent, where it was spent and who spent it. They will be able to make judgment calls about whether this money was spent wisely or not.”

This bill would strengthen the Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal statue to include grant recipient information. Under this bill, grant recipients would be responsible for submitting to the state contact information, a breakdown of funding sources by government-type, and a statement of grant goals, among other information. After the grant is dispersed, the recipient would provide the state with a table of expenditures and describing the achieved results. All of these documents would be posted online available for public viewing at the Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal, which was launched in 2009. Grant recipients that fail to comply would be placed on a public noncompliance list. After two months of noncompliance, funding would be suspended and they would not be eligible for additional state dollars until they were compliant.

The Illinois Policy Institute is supportive of this legislation, and released a report Monday describing why this bill is needed.

“The state’s transparency portal provides useful, top-line information on state grants to nonprofits groups, but it’s a dead end for taxpayers who want to know how grant money was spent and what results were achieved,” said Kristina Rasmussen, Executive Vice President of the Illinois Policy Institute. “There’s really no good way for lawmakers or taxpayers to determine if a grant delivered its promised results -- let alone if it was done in an efficient manner. The bipartisan transparency initiative spearheaded by state Sens. Sandoval and Dillard builds on best practices to get useful grant information out of agency filing cabinets and put at the fingertips of Illinois residents.”

Sandoval: Continue funding breast cancer prevention programs in Illinois

Written by Senate Democratic Caucus Staff Tuesday, 22 May 2012 12:29

sandoval-75x75 Illinois State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) met with representatives from the Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force while they were in Springfield talking to legislators about the need to continue to fund the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer program.

sandoval-brstcncr-050412 Last year, the program was only able to screened nearly 40,000 women; only 13 percent of those who are eligible to receive the services. Of those screened, they were able to detect cancer in over 4,000 women. These women can now get the treatment they need to fight and conquer breast cancer. If the governor’s $3.3 million cut to the program happens, they will have to turn away 7,000 more women.

These cuts will not save money. Instead of catching the cancer early, the state will have to absorb the costs associated with late stages of the disease, which can be three-to-five times more expensive than treating the cancer when it is caught early.

Sandoval Supports Restraints for Four-legged Passengers

Written by Senate Democratic Caucus Staff Tuesday, 08 May 2012 14:39

sandoval-SB2653-0512 It could be tempting to allow your dog to sit in your lap when you’re behind the wheel with your pup along for the ride: they are drawn to us or to the window, and we may think they’ll be less anxious near us in the moving vehicle. A recent survey revealed nearly 20 percent of drivers admit to driving with a dog in their lap.

However, a AAA study found 30,000 accidents each year involve animals in vehicles. In the interest of animal safety and human safety, Senator Martin Sandoval introduced an amendment to an existing distracted driving bill (Senate Bill 2653) to prohibit people from driving while an animal is in their lap.

dogs “Animal advocates recommend securing your pet in the back seat of your vehicle to protect the animal and the driver,” Senator Sandoval said. “Restraining harnesses or secured carriers can be used to keep dogs of all sizes safe; cats can be secured in carriers with seat belts as well. These measures will reduce driver distraction and keep animals from injury by air bags or from becoming a projectile in an accident.”

Senator Sandoval, Chairman of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee, was contacted about this effort by Chicagoan Melissa Ramirez, whose dog was injured in a car accident. She became a dog safety advocate and entrepreneur, inventing a dog seatbelt harness for smaller dogs that are more likely to be in the front seat and unrestrained. Ms. Ramirez asked Senate President John Cullerton for his support on a recent visit to Springfield and showed him her invention.

Here are tips on helping your animals safely ride inside a vehicle from the ASPCA and Humane Society:

ASPCA
Humane Society

Sandoval meets with UNO during their visit to Springfield

Written by Senate Democratic Caucus Staff Thursday, 03 May 2012 00:00

sandoval-UNO-050312 Illinois State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) met with representatives of United Neighborhood Organization (UNO) during their visit to the Capitol recently.

UNO was established in 1984 and has provided Hispanic immigrant families with access to a high quality education by challenging them to fulfill their great potential, while promoting American values, ideals, opportunities, and successes. They provide many programs throughout the community including a charter school educational program, parent involvement programs, healthcare outreach, citizenship programs and leadership development.

Sandoval Convenes High Speed Rail Hearing

Written by Senate Democratic Caucus Staff Monday, 23 April 2012 00:00

sandoval-75x75 Transportation Committee Chairman Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago), Rick Harnish, the Executive Director of the Mid-West High Speed Rail Association, and Dan Johnson, their lobbyist participated in a subject matter hearing convened by Chairman Sandoval on the procurement of passenger train equipment.

The hearing was held to address improving passenger train service throughout Illinois. The state is participating in the purchase of more than 100 train cars to improve Amtrak service. Discussions also focused on how state taxpayers’ money would be used in this process and how rail services throughout the state maybe possibly bid out to other train operators in the future.

Sandoval greets members of 4-H

Written by Senate Democratic Caucus Staff Monday, 23 April 2012 00:00

sandoval-4H-042312 Illinois State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) met with members of the 4-H Program during their annual visit Springfield.

The 4-H program stands for the four-fold development of youth: head, hands, heart, and health. Chett Pease and Blair Phillips are two members of the program who visited with Senator Sandoval to discuss issues affecting agriculture throughout Illinois and how important it is for youth to get involved at an early age.