Transparency goes hand in hand with keeping local government accountable to the citizens and taxpayers. As taxpayers, it’s our money and we should have the right to know how our tax dollars are being spent.
Unfortunately, many citizens have a difficult time finding information out about where local school districts, municipalities, and even counties are spending taxpayer dollars.
A recent Bureau County Republican article spoke to the difficulties of one citizen having a hard time trying to access basic financial information from their elected officials and administrators.
The county board needs to develop a comprehensive website which would give residents easy access to information, without having to drive to the courthouse to get that information.
As an individual, Arndt said she lives six miles from Princeton, which means a 12-mile round-trip to the courthouse to get any requested information.
The Illinois Policy Institute aims to help citizens across the state of Illinois make their local units of government more transparent and accountable to their citizen. We’ve conducted over 100 Local Transparency Audits with the assistance of concerned citizens.
Chris Arndt, an Institute Liberty Leader, went to a recent board meeting to help facilitate more transparency in Bureau County, and her local newspaper reported on it.
In her presentation to the board, Arndt reviewed a 10-point Transparency Checklist, as developed by the Illinois Policy Institute, which she would like to see Bureau County implement in its website.
She encouraged the Bureau County Board to adopt measures that will put information online so citizens won’t have to travel to the local courthouse for information.
The county board needs to develop a comprehensive website which would give residents easy access to information, without having to drive to the courthouse to get that information.
The story also indicates that officials from the county are willing to look into the requests.
. . .Bureau County Board Chairman Dale Anderson said the county’s Technology Committee will review the requests presented by Arndt.
Fostering transparency throughout the state has long been a goal of the Institute. If you would like to promote transparency and accountability in your hometown please use our 10-Point Transparency Checklist as a reference point, or contact Mark Cavers at mcavers@illinoispolicy.org if you would like to partner in an audit of local government agencies in your area.