State Rep. Miller to tour state and unveil new proposal regarding government salaries

Chicago, IL – State Representative David Miller, Democratic nominee for State Comptroller, announced a proposal to “open up government and increase transparency” by creating a publicly available, online database of the salaries of elected officials at all levels of government, including municipal, township, county, state and federal.

This new online database would be added to the Illinois State Comptroller’s website in 2011 under Miller’s proposal, which comes in the wake of a national controversy over the revelations that some city officials in California were secretly earning up to $800,000 per year.

“Taxpayers deserve to know what all their elected officials are being paid since they are the ones footing the bill,” said Miller. “It is extremely difficult for any Illinois resident to find out how much government officials earn. We should never forget that elected officials are employed by the taxpayers of Illinois. By putting salary information online we will expose government excess and bring Illinois government into the 21st century.”

Miller, a dentist, community advocate and south suburban state legislator, will unveil his policy during a five-day, nine county swing beginning Saturday.

Saturday, August 14th
Bud Billiken Parade / Breakfast
Mandrake Park between Oakwood and 39th in Chicago
8:00 AM

Saturday, August 14th
DuPage Democrats Open House / BBQ
1000-7 Rohlwing Rd. in Lombard
Event is from 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Representative Miller will be in attendance from 3:00 – 5:00 PM

Sunday, August 15th
Indian Independence Day Parade
Lineup at intersection of Devon and Western in Chicago
Lineup is 11:00 AM / Parade begins at 12 PM

Sunday, August 15th
Dedication of St. John’s A.M.E. Church
2950 Bilter Road in Aurora
4:30 PM

Sunday, August 15th
Henry County “Meet the Candidate” event
Pioneer Club – 206 North Chestnut Street in Kewanee
6PM – 8PM

Monday, August 16th
Peoria “Meet the Candidate” event
Childers Eatery
3312 North University Street in Peoria
3:00 – 5:00 PM

Monday, August 16th
Tazewell County “Meet the Candidate” event
Pekin Township Building — 420 Elizabeth Street in Pekin
6PM – 8PM

Tuesday, August 17th
Springfield Press Availability
Illinois State Dental Society — 1010 S. 2nd Street in Springfield
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday, August 18th
Illinois Democratic County Chairman’s Association Brunch
Crowne Plaza Hotel – 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway in Springfield
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Wednesday, August 18th
Participation in Democratic / Governor’s Day Rally at State Fair
Illinois State Fairgrounds
12 PM – 2 PM

Wednesday, August 18th
Metro East Young Democrats “Meet the candidate” event
Location TBD
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Miller says his new online database initiative will “build upon the positive and progressive steps Comptroller Dan Hynes took to increase sunshine on how tax dollars are spent.” He says that “taking this action will allow Illinois citizens, government watchdog organizations and reporters much easier access” to the salaries of elected officials and government employees at all levels.

“Let’s turn the page on the politics of the past and move our state forward,” said Miller. “I’m not a career politician. I’m a dentist, a husband and a father – a small businessman and a health care provider. I’ll bring a new approach to government.”

“This new approach – more openness and transparency – will lead to increased public trust and participation. The time has come for a new politics that directs more sunshine on taxpayer dollars are spent. That’s transparency; that’s good public policy; that’s what taxpayers deserve; that’s why I’m running to be the state’s chief fiscal officer,” added Miller.