Village of Lombard earns perfect score for online transparency, eight local governments, including Rock Island, Urbana and Quincy, fail

CHICAGO (April 8, 2014) – The towns of Wheaton, Lombard and Bartlett received high marks for online government transparency in a recent series of transparency audits conducted by the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute. Meanwhile, the towns of Normal, Oak Park and Moline were among a number of other towns that failed the online transparency audit.

Twenty-five towns were evaluated in the most recent series of transparency audits. The towns were graded using our 10-Point Transparency Checklist to analyze online transparency standards for local governments. Local governments earning 80 points and above out of a possible 100 earned the Illinois Policy Institute’s Sunshine Award for online transparency.

“While it’s encouraging that 13 municipalities earned the Institute’s Sunshine Award for online transparency, it’s disappointing that eight others earned failing grades,” said Brian Costin, the director of government reform at the Illinois Policy Institute. “Taxpayers in communities such as Normal, Oak Park and Urbana have been left in the dark about how their tax dollars are being spent and are disenfranchised from the political process as a result.”

Thirteen municipalities passed the Institute’s audit of the 26th through 50th largest municipal governments in the state, with Lombard scoring a perfect 100 points. Eight local governments failed the transparency audit, with Romeoville scoring the lowest at 29 out of a possible 100 points.

In the age of the Internet, keeping taxpayers informed on the actions and business of their governments has never been easier. Local taxing bodies have a responsibility to actively post budgets, spending data, contact information and other important government information. These measures are the best ways to prevent corruption and waste, and to ensure an informed and active citizenry. The latest audit from the Illinois Policy Institute’s Local Transparency Project shows some local governments embracing open and transparent practices, while too many are still woefully lacking.

Some highlights from the report include:

• The towns of Normal, Oak Park, Moline, Urbana, Quincy, Streamwood, Carol Stream and Romeoville failed the online transparency audit. Romeoville earned the worst score, with 29.7 points out of 100.
• Lombard earned a perfect score in the transparency audit. The towns of Wheaton and Bartlett were the only other municipalities to receive over 90 out of 100 possible points.
• The villages of Wheeling and Oak Park actually had their scores go down from previous transparency audits. Both towns failed the transparency audit and lacked publicly available information on city expenses, public employee compensation and lobbying activities.

“Every citizen in Illinois should have equal online access to public information,” Costin said. “This survey shows the need for the state to require comprehensive online government transparency standards. This solution would give taxpayers and government officials the tools necessary for an open and honest government.”

The latest audited municipalities and their scores out of 100 possible points include:

• Lombard – 100
• Wheaton – 92.3
• Bartlett – 90.6
• Carpentersville – 89.9
• Glenview – 89.5
• DeKalb – 88.8
• Elmhurst – 86
• Park Ridge – 86
• Belleville – 84.8
• Downers Grove – 81.9
• Hanover Park – 81
• Buffalo Grove – 81
• Plainfield – 80.8
• Hoffman Estates – 77.7
• Crystal Lake – 70.5
• Wheeling – 62.8
• Rock Island – 60.5
• Urbana – 59.1
• Normal – 50.2
• Quincy – 51.1
• Carol Stream – 49.7
• Moline – 51
• Oak Park – 43.9
• Streamwood – 36.9
• Romeoville – 29.7

The Institute’s full report, along with past transparency audits, is available online: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/partly-cloudy-municipal-online-transparency-scores-vary-widely/