For a little further information on the cozy relationship between the Illinois State government in Springfield and the troubled Association for Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), the sort of corrupt bargain to which we are attempting to bring sunlight, we’ve done a little research into some of the funding distributed from our tax dollars to ACORN. In this case, we have some documents on funds given to ACORN for the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Predatory Lending Database Program (PLD) and related programs.

It isn’t just the taxpayer’s money given to ACORN that is at issue, to be sure. Not only do we see our tax dollars going to this organization that has so often been caught up in instances of criminal voter fraud across the country as well as a $5 million embezzlement controversy, but our state government has allowed this group to help it create government programs and policies, as well.

Why would the state turn to this often times criminal organization to help it create the PLD program? For the answer to that we turn to the 2008 Annual Comprehensive Housing Plan progress report.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) drew on the collective experience of these HUD-certified housing counseling agencies in drafting administrative rules and an application for funding under the PLD program. Several of these agencies have worked with IHDA in the past, and their experience, combined with that of IHDA and IDFPR, ensured a thoughtful, reasonable approach to implementation of the PLD Program.

(See image of Page 40 below)

So, the state agency charged with creating this PLD program went to groups like ACORN and asked them how to write the rules and create the legislation under which such groups would reap financial rewards. It is shades of the fox guarding the hen house.

Page 40 of the 2008 annual progress report referenced here shows that ACORN itself, along with more than a dozen other such groups, received $100,000 for this initial stage of the PLD program.

As time moved onward, Springfield doled out more and more of our tax dollars to ACORN and its subsidiaries. Records from the 2009 and 2010 budget bill, for instance shows thousands going into the PLD program. (Download .pdf of pages from the 2009 and 2010 budget reports)

Additionally, a web search of the website of the Illinois Secretary of State shows several ACORN agencies listed as approved and currently working with the state government. Listed are ACORN Housing Affordable Loans, LLC and the ACORN Housing Corporation of Illinois, and Louisiana. (See Screen Shots Below)

These relationships need to be investigated and a full reporting of them must be given to the people. How many different ACORN subsidiaries are receiving state finding and for what programs? How involved have these ACORN groups been in crafting the legislation and rules that affords them state funding? Which of our representatives have been responsible for giving ACORN this favorable treatment? What results have these programs afforded the citizens of the state?

Join us and Say NO to ACORN.

Sign the petition and tell Governor Quinn that you want a real investigation to end corruption for good.

Page 40 of the 2008 Annual Comprehensive Housing Plan Progress Report

Screen Shots of Illinois Secretary of State Authorized Corporations Listings

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