Open Illinois.org

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 in government. Commissioner Peraica cited the growing need for creating accountability and transparency.

“Cook County’s favorite son, President Barack Obama, has called for a new era of open, transparent government … Let us heed that call by putting the Cook County check register online to make us one of the most transparent governments in the country,” said Peraica

Kate Campaigne, Director of Government Reform for the Illinois Policy Institute, also spoke at the press conference. Kate congratulated Commissioner Peraica on introducing this resolution, and expressed how important this initial step is:

“Taxpayers deserve to know how government spends their money, and transparency gives them that chance.  It serves as an x-ray machine and allows people to look into the details of the budget books and understand where their tax dollars go – and to whom. [...] It’s simple, good policy – and we’re seeing dramatic, public support all over the state of Illinois.”

Commissioner Peraica is set to present the resolution at tonight’s Board meeting, and a decision is expected to be made then. We support Commissioner Peraica’s effort to implement transparency in Cook County, and we encourage the rest of the Board to join him and and set Cook County on the path to better, open government. Transparency would provide the first step to much-needed reform.

To read more about the Transparency Resolution and more from Commissioner Peraica, please visit his Reform Cook County Website.