Irvin's ethics plan released

For Immediate Release

February 10, 2009

Aurora Mayoral Candidate Richard Irvin Unveils Ethics Reform Plan

Alderman Richard Irvin - "The people of Aurora deserve more than election year politics - the people of Aurora deserve real leadership and real reform. I am running for Mayor because I want to provide the leadership to truly reform the way we run for office and govern here in Aurora. I am running for Mayor because I am committed to restoring the voters' faith in our city government."

(Aurora, IL) - Today, Aurora Mayoral candidate Richard Irvin, Alderman-at-Large, unveiled his ethics reform plan. "The cost to Illinois of the pay for play scandal involving our former Governor goes much further than the simple embarrassment of being the punch line for late night comics," said Irvin. "The real cost to Illinois is the further erosion of faith and confidence of the voters of this great state in our political and legislative processes."

Sadly, Aurora hasn't been immune to pay for play politics. Just last year The Beacon News reported that more than one in four of the current Mayor's contributors had been paid more than $64 million by the city since he took office. "Instead of working to clean up City Hall, Mayor Weisner has instead offered an ethics reform plan that is little more than a cynical, election-year motivated, incumbent protection plan," continued Irvin.

"The people of Aurora deserve more than election year politics - the people of Aurora deserve real leadership and real reform," said Irvin. "I am running for Mayor because I want to provide the leadership to truly reform the way we run for office and govern here in Aurora. I am running for Mayor because I am committed to restoring the voters' faith in our city government."

The keys to the Irvin ethics reform plan are transparency and accountability. "Transparency and accountability are simple concepts - concepts that should be fundamental to the way we elect our leaders and the way in which we govern," continued Irvin.

In order to create real transparency in city government Irvin proposes that:

First, all contracts with the city should be made available in an on-line, searchable database.

Second, all City Council meeting should be video-recorded and made available to the public on the internet.

In order to create real transparency in our campaigns Irvin proposes that in any Mayoral campaign, all donations in excess of $100 should be disclosed in an on-line, searchable database.

To create accountability in our city government Irvin proposes that before awarding any contract with the city, all conflicts of interest - including campaign donations received - will be publicly disclosed.

To create accountability in our campaigns Irvin proposes that:

First, once elected, the Mayor of Aurora will limit campaign contributions from individuals doing business with the city - or seeking to do business with the city - to less than $1000.

Second, a Campaign Finance Commission will be created to study how best to protect the integrity of the political process in Aurora elections - with a special emphasis on determining the feasibility of publicly funded campaigns. This Commission would include experts on ethics and politics as well as a balanced number of local politicians from both sides of the aisle.

"The ethics challenges facing us are serious challenges - challenges that require real leadership and a commitment to real reform," concluded Irvin. "When I am the Mayor of Aurora, I will fight day and night for real ethics reform. When I am the Mayor of Aurora, I will end pay for play, root out corruption, eliminate influence peddling, and hold myself - and those around me - to the highest ethical standards possible."

# # #

Irvin for Aurora, P.O. Box 4433, Aurora, IL 60507. For more information on Alderman Irvin visit our website at www.oneaurora.com