Governor Pat Quinn has signed a new law requiring municipalities to reveal all details concerning special sales tax deals.

The law HB 3859, which takes effect January 1, 2013, will reveal what’s been confidential information when it comes to contracts set up by companies and a municipality to protect businesses from their competitors.

The Daily-Journal reports the city of Kankakee and other local government has guarded the companies’ identities.  Kankakee is currently in a lawsuit with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) over what’s called secret deals to keep quiet the tax revenues the RTA claims belongs to the city of Chicago.

The D-J reports Kankakee benefits by reaping the benefits of sales taxes the company generates.

Supporters of the law say it’s another step toward transparency in government.

Area lawmakers voting FOR the measure include Senators Shane Cultra and Sue Rezin, also Rep Lisa Dugan and Senator Toi Hutchinson.  Voting AGAINST were Reps Jason Barickman and Pam Roth.

94.1 FM, WGFA