Reps. Foster, Quigley Fight Pay-to-Play Practices

Press Release

Last night, Rep. Bill Foster (IL-14) and Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05) introduced an amendment that would prohibit any federally appropriated highway funds from being used to prevent States from enacting anti-pay-to-play laws. Pay-to-play is a practice where campaign contributions are exchanged for profitable government contracts.

"People around the country -- especially here in Illinois -- are tired of scandals that compromise taxpayer dollars and betray the public's trust," said Foster. "I am proud to work with my colleague, Congressman Quigley, to bring fairness and accountability to contracting processes that have too often fallen victim to corruption."

Added Quigley, "Sadly, a loophole in the FHWA's contracting requirements is making it difficult, if not impossible, for states that want to eliminate pay-to-play to do so. I want to thank Congressman Foster for working with me to take an important step toward making corruption in Illinois a thing of the past."

In 2008, the Illinois General Assembly tried to enact a strong anti-pay-to-play law to bring transparency and accountability to government contracting. However, actions taken by the Federal Highway Administration forced Illinois to weaken this provision, effectively creating a loophole for pay-to-play.

The Representatives offered an amendment to H.R. 5850, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill. The Quigley-Foster amendment would stop the Federal Highway Administration from continuing to prohibit states to enact contracting reform that eliminates pay-to-play.

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