CHICAGO - While Republican Congressman Mark Kirk and his campaign think making his tax returns "available for review" is commendable, they are 10 years late and coming up short with their continued refusal to disclose all meetings Congressman Kirk has had with lobbyists.

"After more than a decade in Washington, Mark Kirk thinks he can use today's decision to make his tax returns 'available' to distract from the nearly month-old request to release his meetings with lobbyists," said Alexi for Illinois Communication Director Kathleen Strand. "It's a shame it took almost a decade for Kirk to consider releasing his tax returns. His claims of being a ethical, transparent leader smack of hypocrisy. Questions are mounting by the day for Congressman Kirk: how long will we have to wait before we know which corporate lobbyists he met with?

After receiving a FOIA request on February 16, 2010, to release the full schedule of his meetings with lobbyists, Kirk has failed to satisfy or even acknowledge the request.

"Washington insider Mark Kirk has spent the last 10 years taking millions in contributions from corporate special interests and voting to protect them at every turn. The people of Illinois deserve to know if contributions from lobbyists also buy special access to Congressman Kirk," Strand said.

Kirk has tried to distract from his lack of transparency by demanding that U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias release loan documents that have been in the public domain since 2006. In addition, more than 1,000 pages of Bright Start documents have been provided to reporters upon request.

To review the Freedom of Information document submitted to Congressman Kirk's office, click  here.