Thursday, February 23, 2012

Video: Adam Andrzejewski Praises Rodger Cook's Financial Transparency


Rodger Cook (cookforcongress.org) and Adam Andrzejewski (forthegoodofillinois.org) talk about the need for candidates for public office to release their income tax filings this past Tuesday, February 21st. Cook is running for Congress in IL-12 and released his income statements recently. Cook's opponent in the GOP primary, Jason Plummer, has so far refused to release his.

Andrzejewski spoke about the effectiveness of this policy for identifying corrupt politicians. He provided examples from Illinois as well as other states to illustrate the effectiveness of financial transparency among candidates for office.

Cook's campaign issued the following press release about Wednesday:

Andrzejewski Lauds Rodger Cook’s Reform Agenda
Says Cook will fight to clean up government; 
Asks why Plummer won’t release his
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Ben Evans 573-268-2790 
Freeburg, IL….Government watchdog Adam Andrzejewski threw his support behind Rodger Cook’s efforts to bring transparency to government in the race for the Republican nomination in the 12 congressional district, citing Cook’s record as a government reformer and his release of his own personal taxes. Cook’s opponent, Jason Plummer, has evaded calls to release his taxes. 
“The people of Illinois deserve the truth. If you don’t have gold-standard ethics, you’re part of business-as-usual. Rodger Cook is the latest and most prominent candidate in this election cycle to lead on this transformational ethics policy,” said Adam Andrzejewski, former 2010 gubernatorial candidate. 
Rodger Cook released his taxes and has posted them on the internet at www.cookforcongress.org. Cook, a former cop and homicide detective, is a proven reformer who took on the machine in Belleville and cleaned up a system of patronage and back room deals. When Cook was mayor of Belleville he opened city council meetings to the public for the first time in the city’s history. That’s the kind of Representation we need in Washington. 
“Illinois’ number one manufactured product is corruption,” said Adam Andrzejewski. “Transparency of personal sources of income is critical ethics policy.” 
Top Republicans are especially concerned that millionaire candidate Jason Plummer’s refusal to release his taxes could cost Republicans a chance to pick up a seat held by Democrats for nearly 70 years. It was also a major issue in his failed campaign for lieutenant governor where he was dogged by questions about his taxes. It got so bad he didn’t even show up to the last debate. Many believe if Plummer was not on the ticket in 2010, Pat Quinn would have lost. 
“Since 2010, I’ve called on the leadership of both political parties to release their income tax returns. This is the single most important ethics policy that would challenge the culture of corruption in Illinois,” said Adam Andrzejewski. “Rodger Cook is leading on and issuing the clarion call on the best policy.” 
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Paid for by Citizens for Cook 
707 N. State St. 
Freeburg, IL 62243 
Cookforcongress.org 

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