The Chicago Sun-Times made a public step towards transparency this past weekend when it began to post salary information for every state, Cook County, and Chicago city employee through its website, found here. The Sun-Times acknowledged Illinois has a culture of corruption that cries out for such scrutiny, and that the public needs tools like these to effectively police its government. The article also made this point:

Through your taxes, you are paying these salaries, and you have a right to know where the money is going — whom you’re paying and how much. It’s a point the politicians often forget. Much of that money out of your pocket –from property taxes, sales taxes, state income taxes and other fees and fines — pays government employee salaries. As it gets tougher for you to buy milk, meet the mortgage and fuel up — never mind any extras — it’s all the more fair and right that you know where that tax money is going.

Right on!

In an earlier response to corruption, Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes opened up a database that cross-references state contracts and campaign contributions. You can find that website right here.

Additionally, the Better Government Association has a searchable salary database for the following taxpayer-paid positions:
* City of Chicago
* Cook County
* Cook County Forest Preserve District
* Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority
* Chicago Housing Authority
* Chicago Transit Authority
* Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
* Chicago Park District
* Chicago Public Schools
* City Colleges of Chicago
* State of Illinois

Looks to me like Illinois might be getting for reform after all…

Category: Corruption