Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Oberweis Introduces "Main Street Ethics Plan;" Calls on Topinka to Release Results of Her Inspector General's Report
The following is a slightly re-formatted press release from Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Oberweis:
In a Monday morning press conference held at the Union League Club in Chicago, Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Oberweis presented a three-part "Main Street Ethics Plan." The plan is designed to break the cycle of cash that funds the culture of corruption so starkly evident in Illinois state government.
"The Oberweis Main Street Ethics Plan
In addition to unveiling his own ethics reform proposal, Oberweis responded to a call from Topinka regarding income tax returns.
"At the conclusion of a recent radio debate, Judy Topinka requested my tax returns, perhaps missing the irony that twenty-five years of her own tax returns would simply confirm what most voters know...Judy Topinka has been living off the taxpayers of Illinois for way too long. Today, I am releasing my 2004 tax return.
“In exchange, I ask that Ms. Topinka release the results of her 2003 internal investigation into allegations that her state employees performed political work on taxpayer time," challenged Oberweis.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Topinka's Inspector General, Crystal Caison was investigating allegations of campaign work being done on state time, allegations at the heart of a federal investigation. Ms. Caison has since been replaced by Mr. David Wells.
"I've given Ms. Topinka a recent tax return, now she can come forward with the results of a two and a half year old investigation," concluded Oberweis.
Oberweis held his press conference at Chicago's Union League Club, the sight of Judy Topinka's Republican State Central Committee deliberations to replace Jack Ryan as the Republican nominee for the United States Senate. With Judy Topinka chairing the State GOP, the organization decided to skip over Jim Oberweis, as runner-up to Jack Ryan the clear choice of Illinois voters. Topinka's group instead chose Maryland native Alan Keyes to be the GOP standard bearer in Illinois.
Oberweis says he takes exception with Topinka's selective memory regarding the resignation of Jack Ryan, the replacement process and the choosing of Alan Keyes.
In a Monday morning press conference held at the Union League Club in Chicago, Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Oberweis presented a three-part "Main Street Ethics Plan." The plan is designed to break the cycle of cash that funds the culture of corruption so starkly evident in Illinois state government.
"The Oberweis Main Street Ethics Plan
· would prohibit our statewide Constitutional officers from accepting campaign contributions from companies doing business with the state."Whether it's a governor who trades campaign contributions for contracts or appointments, a treasurer who takes campaign contributions from banks doing business with her office or a lobbyist who makes over five million dollars in commissions and fees on behalf of clients wooing state business, the Oberweis Main Street Ethics Plan will put an end to this pay for play culture and the corruption tax which burdens the people of Illinois," concluded Oberweis.
· would prohibit former legislators and other former state employees from serving as lobbyists for a period of two years following their departure from office or state employment.
· calls for full semi-annual disclosure by lobbyists of the sources and amounts of income earned from their clients, with special emphasis on the types of commissions and fees given to Republican National Committeeman Bob Kjellander.
In addition to unveiling his own ethics reform proposal, Oberweis responded to a call from Topinka regarding income tax returns.
"At the conclusion of a recent radio debate, Judy Topinka requested my tax returns, perhaps missing the irony that twenty-five years of her own tax returns would simply confirm what most voters know...Judy Topinka has been living off the taxpayers of Illinois for way too long. Today, I am releasing my 2004 tax return.
“In exchange, I ask that Ms. Topinka release the results of her 2003 internal investigation into allegations that her state employees performed political work on taxpayer time," challenged Oberweis.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Topinka's Inspector General, Crystal Caison was investigating allegations of campaign work being done on state time, allegations at the heart of a federal investigation. Ms. Caison has since been replaced by Mr. David Wells.
"I've given Ms. Topinka a recent tax return, now she can come forward with the results of a two and a half year old investigation," concluded Oberweis.
Oberweis held his press conference at Chicago's Union League Club, the sight of Judy Topinka's Republican State Central Committee deliberations to replace Jack Ryan as the Republican nominee for the United States Senate. With Judy Topinka chairing the State GOP, the organization decided to skip over Jim Oberweis, as runner-up to Jack Ryan the clear choice of Illinois voters. Topinka's group instead chose Maryland native Alan Keyes to be the GOP standard bearer in Illinois.
Oberweis says he takes exception with Topinka's selective memory regarding the resignation of Jack Ryan, the replacement process and the choosing of Alan Keyes.
