Calls for Rauner tax return transparency intensify

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon is joining in the call for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner to disclose his 2013 income tax return.

Rauner has filed for an extension on his 2013 taxes and has not yet released his return. He has, however, released his form 1040 for tax years 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Simon, who served on the Illinois Reform Commission and has long been an advocate for openness and transparency in government, says transparency should not be the exception in politics, but the rule.

"Being engaged in public politics, governance requires a sacrifice of some privacy," Simon said. "It's a small sacrifice, but it's worth it because transparency builds trust. This is not 'gotcha,' this is governing. Let's do it right."

"This is nothing but a political stunt. Bruce has paid every penny of tax he owed, he has already voluntarily released far more tax information than he's required to, and he's disclosed every business interest he has in Illinois. It's no surprise that Pat Quinn would rather talk about Bruce Rauner's taxes than the taxes Quinn raised on every worker and family in Illinois and his plan to make those tax hikes permanent," said Rauner spokesperson Mike Schrimpf.

Simon's office said that historically tax returns have not been a partisan issue, and noted that Simon, Gov. Pat Quinn and presidential candidate Mitt Romney all released their most recent income tax returns while running for office.