10-Point Transparency Checklist
10-Point Transparency Checklist
To be able to participate fully in democracy citizens need the ability to contact and interact with their elected representatives and government administrators.
NANNY STATE: Chicago Alderman Burke decides energy drinks aren’t good for you
NANNY STATE: Chicago Alderman Burke decides energy drinks aren’t good for you
Aside from crime, spending and transportation, Chicago leaders are looking to take a hard line on energy drinks
Cronyism runs deep in Illinois
Cronyism runs deep in Illinois
Imagine an Illinois economy so vibrant that companies felt they had to be in Illinois to reach their fullest potential. Imagine a tax environment so competitive that companies across the country battled to get a piece of Illinois real estate. Keep imagining, because this certainly isn’t a reality. The fact is, Illinois ranks 48th in economic...
New municipal transparency laws for 2013
New municipal transparency laws for 2013
A number of the new municipal laws going into effect for 2013 are related to increasing government transparency. These new laws include: Meeting agendas must contain the “general subject matter” for action items. (PA 97-827) Notices and agendas must be available for public review for 48 hours before meeting. (PA 97-827) Reports concerning sales tax rebate agreements...
Illinois local government headlines
Illinois local government headlines
Palos Hills Mayor: ‘Cities and villages will go bankrupt if this does not change’ Despite all of the media focus on the state’s troubled pension systems, a Southtown Star column byPhil Kander details the problems many suburbs face with the mounting debt of public employee pensions. Intense lobbying by labor unions to pass costly pension sweeteners have caused...
Springfield Sliders bobbleheads cost Illinois taxpayers $10,000
Springfield Sliders bobbleheads cost Illinois taxpayers $10,000
The 2012 Illinois Piglet Book highlights nearly 200 examples of wasteful government spending totaling more than $354 million. The Springfield Park District, for example, spent $9,941 on bobbleheads. Many of these bobbling toys were modeled after Speedy the Turtle, the Springfield Sliders mascot. Some businesses are struggling to make payroll. Some families are working multiple jobs...
Rock Island County spent $1,100 on lipstick tubes
Rock Island County spent $1,100 on lipstick tubes
The 2012 Illinois Piglet Book highlights nearly 200 examples of wasteful government spending totaling more than $354 million. Rock Island County, for example, spent $1,101 on lipstick tubes. The county also spent $6,250 on elephant consulting and $20,489 paid to Swine-time Pig Racing.
Suburban governments in Lake County fail transparency audit
Suburban governments in Lake County fail transparency audit
PRESS RELEASE from the ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE MEDIA CONTACT: Diana Rickert Diana@IllinoisPolicy.org or (312) 607-4977 Vernon Hills only bright spot in suburban government transparency audit 19 out of 22 local governments in Lake County receive failing grades CHICAGO (Dec. 19, 2012) – Lake County residents pay some of the highest property tax rates in the...
The waste race: grants for entertainment in Illinois
The waste race: grants for entertainment in Illinois
Ready for a weekend of entertainment? Start by cruising around a shopping festival on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Then get some exercise on the eco-friendly, customized ziplines built by Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour Inc. in Williamson County. If that’s not enough, hit the wrestling matches at the Dual Meet Nationals in Springfield. Won’t be able to...
Rock Island County paid $20,489 to Swine-time Pig Racing
Rock Island County paid $20,489 to Swine-time Pig Racing
Property taxes are rising, state income taxes are higher, unemployment is nearly 9 percent and local governments are supposedly cash-strapped. Schools are cutting programs, and police and fire pensions are crowding out spending on core local services. Yet local governments continue to waste the money of hardworking Illinoisans. Each year local governments in Illinois make payments for a wide...
State Rep. LaShawn K. Ford has been indicted for bank fraud
State Rep. LaShawn K. Ford has been indicted for bank fraud
State Rep. LaShawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, of Illinois’ 8th District has become the most recent example of a steady stream of Illinois politicians caught with their hands in the cookie jar. According to the Chicago Sun-Times: “Ford, 40, of Chicago — who also invests in Chicago real estate — allegedly fraudulently obtained a $500,000 increase...
Chicago bike-sharing program takes taxpayers for a ride
Chicago bike-sharing program takes taxpayers for a ride
I have fond memories of riding my mountain bike in the hills of Busse Woods as a child. My godfather, Sean Costin, is an experimental bike designer and has set world records in racing recumbent bicycles. I even continue to watch the Tour de France in the post-Lance Armstrong era. I love bikes. But my love for bikes...
Illinois Policy Institute influence leads to committee transparency reform
Illinois Policy Institute influence leads to committee transparency reform
In July 2012, the Illinois Policy Institute revealed research detailing the great lengths Illinoisans would have to take to find out how an elected official voted during committee. To find this information, they would either have: stream the committee online, attend the committee hearing or access committee transcripts, which are often published months after a committee was...
Illinoisans foot $2.3 million cable bill for state inmates
Illinoisans foot $2.3 million cable bill for state inmates
When families in Illinois need to tighten their belts, cable TV is often one of the first expenses to go. A state nearing bankruptcy should do the same. The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) racked up a cable bill of $2,261,009 between July 2010 and June 2012. Popular channels included in this bill were MTV,...