A Game of 20 Questions for George Ryan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 19, 2002

CONTACT:
Cindi Canary, ICPR
312-335-1767

A Game of 20 Questions for George Ryan

Gov. George Ryan has broken yet another promise to the citizens of Illinois.

"Gov. Ryan breaking a promise no longer surprises many of us, yet it still is disappointing," said Cindi Canary, Director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR).

Ryan's latest broken promise centers on his pledge this summer to make annual disclosures of contributors to his private trust fund beginning December 1. To date, no disclosures have been made.

Although Illinois law requires extensive disclosure of contributions to political committees, Illinois officeholders apparently can create trust funds and hide contribution information from the public. When Ryan created his trust fund in July, Ryan said some contribution information would be disclosed on December 1, and ICPR called on Ryan to go beyond the law's requirements and voluntarily disclose audited contribution and expenditure information.

"Gov. Ryan likes playing games with the citizens of Illinois," Canary said. "Because he likes games, we've got a challenge for him - 20 questions. It's a game all of us can play, and we encourage everyone to ask the Governor these questions about the trust fund."

1. Governor, why won't you tell us who is contributing money to your trust fund?

2. Will you tell us each contributor's name, address, occupation, as well as the date and amount of each contribution to` your trust fund?

3. Will you agree to let an independent auditor examine the records of your trust fund and tell the public whether any forthcoming public disclosures are complete and accurate?

4. How much - in total - has been raised to help you pay for legal expenses?

5. How much has been spent?

6. How was the money spent?

7. Has your trust fund received money from any of the people you have recently appointed to protected state jobs?

8. Are any of the contributors state employees?

9. Do any of the contributors have contracts with state government?

10. Are any of the contributors soliciting contracts or competing for state contracts?

11. Have state regulated businesses - like casinos, racetracks, utilities and insurance companies - contributed to your trust fund?

12. Has anyone employed by a regulated business contributed to your trust fund?

13. Will you return contributions from all state employees, contractors and the owners and employees of regulated businesses?

14. Are state employees involved in soliciting contributions to your trust fund?

15. Are any state appointed board or commission members involved in soliciting contributions to your trust fund?

16. Has any money in the fund been used for "philanthropic pursuits" as was suggested in your July 16th press release?

17. Will you fully disclose audited contribution and expenditure information about the trust fund each year until your trust fund is dissolved?

18. Who has the ultimate responsibility for accepting contributions and making expenditures from your trust fund?

19. Why did you break your promise to disclose contributions to your trust fund?

20. Why do you call it a "trust" fund anyway?