Gov. Quinn signs law establishing new rules for grants

CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed legislation overhauling the state’s grant oversight and accountability process.
Quinn’s office said Wednesday that he has signed the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. The governor says it will give Illinois a comprehensive set of uniform rules for grant applications and make those who receive grants more accountable to taxpayers.
The governor signed the law after questions arose when a state audit found misused money for a now-defunct anti-violence program.
Republicans say Quinn used money from the $55 million Neighborhood Recovery Initiative as a political slush fund to secure votes. Quinn has denied that claim.
The governor says in a news release announcing that he signed the new law that what happened with the program “was unacceptable and should never happen at any state agency.”