A policy group is criticizing counties in Illinois for failing to provide more open government information on their websites.
TheIllinois Policy Institute conducted what it called an “online transparency audit.” The Institute said 90 of the state’s 102 counties failed the audit.
We believe that with more transparency, you'll have less corruption
“Illinois has a long history of corruption,” said Ted Dabrowski, vice president of policy. “We believe that with more transparency, you’ll have less corruption.”
Dabrowski said all of the counties in western Illinois received failing marks. He said McDonough, Schuyler, Henderson, Cass, and Pike failed the audit because they don’t have websites, even as more and more people conduct business online. 22 counties statewide do not have a website.
The Institute used a 10-point checklist in the audit. It checked whether contact information, meeting agendas, employee contracts, and other details were provided online.
Dabrowski said counties already have the information so it should not be a challenge for them to make it readily available on the web.
Dabrowski said the Illinois Policy Institute will next look at the websites for the state’s top 100 municipalities.
