Open Illinois.org

Posted by Kate Campaigne

Any Liberty Leaders living in or near Vernon Hills? According to Libertyville Review, residents’ concerns are rising. Currently the main worry is High School District 128, which is asking for a tax levy with 13.23 percent increase.

The public, like the community contributing to HS D128 through their tax dollars, understands schools need funding – but they need transparency, too.

In order to makes its case for current and future funding, HS D128 (and all levels of government in general) should implement transparency by performing the simple task of posting a monthly check register on its website.

That way, when the district asks for more funding, the community can easily jump online and see how the district is spending money (well or poorly) and either agree with the request for tax increases, or disagree — and even possibly see places where the district can cut back on waste and run more efficiently.

Not only does transparency help the public more clearly understand government spending, but also helps school board members and elected officials in general better understand spending practices, fostering more accountability and responsible spending. It’s a win-win for all parties involved.