Institute Launches Local Transparency Project in Downers Grove Area

Recently, a Burr Ridge resident, Stephen Woodward (pictured),  approached the Institute to help him examine transparency shortcomings in the conduct of his local school boards. Woodward periodically attends Hinsdale School District 86, as well as School District 181, board meetings and advocates for many of the measures outlined by the Illinois Policy Institute’s10-Point Transparency Checklist....

Recently, a Burr Ridge resident, Stephen Woodward (pictured),  approached the Institute to help him examine transparency shortcomings in the conduct of his local school boards.

Woodward periodically attends Hinsdale School District 86, as well as School District 181, board meetings and advocates for many of the measures outlined by the Illinois Policy Institute’s10-Point Transparency Checklist.

Woodward was even able to successfully get support from board member Diane Barrett who signed the Illinois Policy Institute’s Transparency Pledge, showing her commitment to a more transparent School District 86.

Unfortunately, even with the support of a board member and concrete transparency proposals outlined by the Illinois Policy Institute, the other elected officials in District 86 have thus far not adopted more comprehensive transparency measures.

Hinsdale District 86’s website currently does not post financial audits, expenditures, salary & benefit information, lobbying, or taxing information.

As a result, Woodward asked the Institute to conduct a Local Transparency Project for District 86, and other local government agencies in the eastern portion of Downers Grove Township.

In early November we conducted an initial audit of 16 different local government units in the area. Each category can earn up to 10 points on the audit, and a maximum of 100 points.

Unfortunately, the results in the Downers Grove area weren’t very promising. The high score was a 50.4, the low score was a 7.5, and the average score was 26.7 out of 100. District 86 scored a 33.8 out of 100 possible points.

Comparatively, School District 54 in Schaumburg Township scored 90 points out of 100 in a recent survey.

Here’s how each government entity scored.

To see how the Illinois Policy Institute grades local government agencies see our grading ruberic here.

Over the next 6 weeks the Institute plans to actively help the elected officials and administrators in this area to improve proactive online transparency, and we will post the results of any improvements on our website in January.