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Cook County Transparent!

Cook County taxpayers are due for some good news…and some came today!

Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica has successfully passed his transparency resolution!

“This is a victory for the county taxpayers, as well as everyone who believes in reform and

Peraica Presents Cook County Transparency Resolution

Kudos to Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica for introducing a resolution to post the Cook County check register online. During a press conference this morning, Commissioner Peraica spoke about the need to restore confidence and trust…

Wilson Yard TIF

As mentioned in a recent TIF brief, the Wilson Yard TIF located in Uptown provides a good example of why tax increment financing (TIF) needs transparency.

2000 residents have filed a lawsuit against Chicago, citing abuses in the…

Root out corruption in Illinois with transparency

No sirens blared outside Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s home early Dec. 9, as federal agents took him into custody for charges of corruption and pay-to-play politics in the highest offices of Illinois government. He may have gone quietly, but this arrest…

Update: What’s going on with the Cook Co. health budget?

Hal Dardick posted on the Chicago Tribune news blog that,

“The health board’s proposed 2009 budget, presented this morning, includes a $103 million spending increase. Of that, $47 million would be spent to pay for both salary increases

Cook County Starting to Open Up

Are there signs of light in Cook County? The County Board has expressed its intent to webstream board meetings and also post contracts online. They met some resistance because of cost concerns, but as anyone who has researched transparency knows,…

Driven Out of Town

The following letter provides a perfect example of how Chicago is driving out business because of its high sales tax, overall poor stewardship of finances, and lack of transparency about spending. Chicago needs to reform its policies, become more business-friendly,…

Tax Destruction

If Cook County wants to push its residents, businesses and revenue out of town, it’s doing a good job. Tomorrow, Cook County’s sales tax will increase yet again. Cook County already has the highest sales tax in the nation, and…

Stroger a Closet Advocate for Transparency?

The Chicago Tribune reported that Todd Stroger, Cook County Board President, finally met with disgruntled Palatine residents last night. Residents of the northwest suburb don’t want to pay more taxes, while Stroger argues that their tax dollars fund many important public services in their area. 

He said, ”The…

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