Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Schaumburg Township Area Transparency Results, 4 of 18 receive passing grades

Schaumburg Township Area Transparency Results, 4 of 18 receive passing grades

by Brian Costin An 6-month follow up audit of the Schaumburg Township area in Northwestern Cook County revealed that still only 4 of 18 local government agencies graded received a passing grade on basic online transparency guidelines.  The “Local Transparency Project”, a project of the non-partisan Illinois Policy Institute, consists of two separate transparency audits 6...

New Trier Township Area Transparency Results, 4 out of 25 Pass

New Trier Township Area Transparency Results, 4 out of 25 Pass

by Brian Costin An audit of the New Trier Township area in northern Cook County revealed only 4 of 25 local government agencies graded received a passing grade on basic online transparency guidelines.  The “Local Transparency Project”, a project of the non-partisan Illinois Policy Institute, consists of two separate transparency audits 6 weeks apart on 10 different...

Palatine Township Area Transparency Results, Only District 211 Passes

Palatine Township Area Transparency Results, Only District 211 Passes

by Brian Costin An audit of the Palatine Township area in Northwestern Cook County revealed only 1 of 12 local government agencies graded received a passing grade on basic online transparency guidelines.  The “Local Transparency Project”, a project of the non-partisan Illinois Policy Institute, consists of two separate transparency audits 6 weeks apart on 10 different online...

A History of Excellence…Wait…That’s Not It.

A History of Excellence…Wait…That’s Not It.

by Kristin Nisbet A recent piece in The American Spectator by RiShawn Biddle, chronicles Illinois’ less than perfect past.  Biddle explains that as things have gotten hairy for former Illinois governor Blagojevich, the prospect of what’s to come for either Quinn or Brady does not promise “sunshine, lollipops and rainbows.” But even if he lands in prison,...

Barrington Township Area Transparency Results, None Pass Test

Barrington Township Area Transparency Results, None Pass Test

An audit of the Barrington Township area in Northwestern Cook County revealed no local government agencies graded received a passing grade on basic online transparency guidelines.  The “Local Transparency Project”, a project of the non-partisan Illinois Policy Institute, consists of two separate transparency audits 6 weeks apart on 10 different online transparency categories including elected & administrative...

Schaumburg Township Area Transparency Results, 4 of 18 receive passing grades

Schaumburg Township Area Transparency Results, 4 of 18 receive passing grades

An 6-month follow up audit of the Schaumburg Township area in Northwestern Cook County revealed that still only 4 of 18 local government agencies graded received a passing grade on basic online transparency guidelines.  The “Local Transparency Project”, a project of the non-partisan Illinois Policy Institute, consists of two separate transparency audits 6 weeks apart...

By Brian Costin

Palatine Township Area Transparency Results, Only District 211 Passes

Palatine Township Area Transparency Results, Only District 211 Passes

An audit of the Palatine Township area in Northwestern Cook County revealed only 1 of 12 local government agencies graded received a passing grade on basic online transparency guidelines.  The “Local Transparency Project”, a project of the non-partisan Illinois Policy Institute, consists of two separate transparency audits 6 weeks apart on 10 different online transparency categories including...

By Brian Costin

New Trier Township Area Transparency Results, 4 out of 25 Pass

New Trier Township Area Transparency Results, 4 out of 25 Pass

An audit of the New Trier Township area in northern Cook County revealed only 4 of 25 local government agencies graded received a passing grade on basic online transparency guidelines.  The “Local Transparency Project”, a project of the non-partisan Illinois Policy Institute, consists of two separate transparency audits 6 weeks apart on 10 different online transparency...

By Brian Costin

Hanover Township Area Transparency Results, Only 1 of 12 Agencies Pass

Hanover Township Area Transparency Results, Only 1 of 12 Agencies Pass

An audit of the Hanover Township area in Northwestern Cook County revealed only 1 of 12 local government agencies graded received a passing grade on basic online transparency guidelines.  The “Local Transparency Project”, a project of the non-partisan Illinois Policy Institute, consists of two separate transparency audits 6 weeks apart on 10 different online transparency categories including...

By Brian Costin

Barrington Township Area Transparency Results, None Pass Test

Barrington Township Area Transparency Results, None Pass Test

An audit of the Barrington Township area in Northwestern Cook County revealed no local government agencies graded received a passing grade on basic online transparency guidelines.  The “Local Transparency Project”, a project of the non-partisan Illinois Policy Institute, consists of two separate transparency audits 6 weeks apart on 10 different online transparency categories including elected & administrative...

By Brian Costin

State Hires 22 Receptionists

State Hires 22 Receptionists

by Will Compernolle The State of Illinois hired 22 receptionists in fiscal year 2008 for $657,353.22 in combined total wages. Of the 22, 14 were titled “receptionist,” 4 were titled “clerk typist/receptionist,” 2 were titled “office receptionist,” and 1 was titled “receptionist-secretary.” The highest paid receptionist made $49,972 while the average receptionist took home a...

Public Employee Evaluations Access

Public Employee Evaluations Access

by Kate Piercy Gov. Quinn has made an amendatory veto to HB5141, which called for the exemption of all public employee performance evaluations under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Institute argued against this bill, saying it would threaten transparency in government by prohibiting the release of public employee performance reviews under FOIA. The...

D.C. Schools Superintendent Wants Vouchers

D.C. Schools Superintendent Wants Vouchers

by Collin Hitt Special education in Washington D.C. public schools is mired with problems. So much so that legally savvy parents of special needs students often win big-dollar lawsuits to have their children placed in city private schools. Across the country, the role that private schools play in special education is small but significant.  Parents,...

Polygraph Examiners Paid $83K Salary

Polygraph Examiners Paid $83K Salary

by Will Compernolle The Illinois Department of State Police hired 8 polygraph examiners in fiscal year 2008 for a total of $667,324.10 in combined total wages. The average polygraph examiner made $83,415.50 while the highest paid polygraph examiner took home an $85,949 salary. 7 of the 8 polygraph examiners had an annual salary higher than $80,000. According...