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Illinois, Behind in Bills, Decides to Spend More
Despite Illinois’s record deficit and $6 billion in unpaid bills, Governor Quinn recently announced $50 million in new spending for the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative. The Initiative would focus on job training for adults and small businesses and also…
State Government Spends $300,000 on Polar Play Zone
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity authorized a $300,000 grant to the Shedd Aquarium Society for a Polar Play Zone Exhibit. According to the DCEO, the funds were used to assist in the development of the exhibit design and…
A Novel Approach to Budget Planning
In the last few years, the federal government and many state governments have used a similar approach to dealing with the economic downturn: higher taxes and more government spending. Governor Quinn’s proposed tax hikes and his $31 billion Illinois Jobs…
Chicago to FOIA: Drop Dead.
The Beachwood Reporter discusses the City of Chicago’s less than stellar response to FOIA requests from the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, which recently released its annual lobbying survey. The survey reported counties and public agencies paid lobbyists…
Chicago Transparency
Yesterday Mayor Daley announced updates and “improvements” to the City of Chicago’s website, saying these changes would make his administration more transparent. The site includes more data about Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests, vendors, contracts, and city employees.
The site…
Cook County Checks Online
After passing a transparency resolution about a year ago, Cook County has posted its check registry online and appears to be embracing spending transparency policy, describing their move as an “Open County Initiative,” which…
Transparency vs. Stroger
Sunshine Review wrote a good post about how transparency – or the lack thereof – from Cook County Board President Todd Stroger may have had a hand in why he lost in Tuesday’s election.
Transparency in CPS Special Ed?
How is that $87.8 million spent?
A Chicago Tribune piece today discusses how the “state Board of Education is looking into questions about the “accountability and transparency” of millions of dollars in state money that
Here’s a good bit of information from the Civic Federation about Chicago’s long term asset leases, and what has happened to the money so far. They highlighted the following: …
Know about Chicago’s Billions in Long Term Leases?
The Sears Tower: Transparency from Above
The Sears Tower has long stood as a beacon of Chicago – and Illinois at large. Rising above the clouds, the magnificent steel structure enamors residents and tourists alike. Yet recently, the building’s management has taken it a step further…
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