Peraica Introduces Resolution to Put County Check Register Online

February 4, 2009 by CookReformer
Filed under: Budget, Reform, Spending, Taxes 

Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica today introduced a resolution to put the Cook County check register online.  Peraica’s resolution follows efforts by several Illinois municipal organizations – including neighboring DuPage County – to undertake similar efforts.

Peraica said:

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.

Click here to view the full text of the resolution.  Here’s an excerpt:

It is incumbent upon this honorable body to lead by example and demonstrate a commitment to accountability and transparency … be it resolved that the President and Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby direct the Cook County Comptroller to establish a monthly check register that can be accessed via the Cook County Web Page. 

Adam Andrzejewski, director of ForTheGoodOfIllinois:

Today, the Cook County Board has the opportunity to be financially transparent with their spending.  With an operating budget of $3 billion, Cook County can become the largest unit of Illinois government to show taxpayers exactly where public money is being spent.  I commend Commissioner Tony Peraica who worked hard and diligently to create this good government resolution.  Each fiscal year, Cook County writes nearly $1 billion in checks.  Peraica’s resolution would post all these checks on the county website at absolutely no cost to county taxpayers.  That’s good government!

John Tillman, chairman and CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, added:  

Cook County government has been on a relentless mission to continually raise taxes.  People have been abandoning Cook County for decades due to its high taxes and reputation for corruption and bloated payrolls.  Transparency is a first step toward reform.  It is the x-ray machine that will allow the citizens of Cook County to see every check written, for how much and to whom.  More is needed, but this is an excellent first step.

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6 Comments on Peraica Introduces Resolution to Put County Check Register Online

  1. Sunshine Review Blog » Bericht: » Tony Peraica works transparency angle for Cook County on Wed, 4th Feb 2009 9:53 am

    2. [...] Cook County Board member Tony Peraica called for spending transparency for Cook County, [...]

  2. Peraica Presents Cook County Transparency Resolution | Open Illinois.org on Wed, 4th Feb 2009 11:02 am

    3. [...] 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 [...]

  3. Richard Kraneis on Wed, 4th Feb 2009 11:44 am

    4. Perhaps we could start with a smaller effort that has more leverage.

    Get the Cook County Budget spreadsheet online. Currently, you can download parts of the PDF but then would need lots of time to build the spreadsheet on your own.

    Get the County Budget displayed on the home page of the Cook County website and then people can really see how the money is theoretically being spent.

    In corresponding with Forest Claypool via email (perhaps it was a staffer), even Cook County Commissioners aren’t given a spreadsheet of the budget.

    Get the budget with a 3 year history on the website. Then people can begin to appreciate the bloating CC budget.

    Thank you.

    Richard Kraneis
    Chicago, IL

  4. Peraica’s Transparency Resolution Attracting Attention : Reform Cook County on Wed, 4th Feb 2009 8:52 pm

    5. [...] OpenIllinois.org’s take: 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 [...]

  5. A troubling lack of apathy and obstructionism. - Flyover Blues on Thu, 5th Feb 2009 7:14 am

    6. [...] of transparency in the police and in the courts in Chicago and Cook County. Tony Peraica wants the Cook County check register put online. Milan Andric and Brad Flora of the Windy Citizen have put up RepSheet, where you can look up your [...]

  6. COOK COUNTY (IL) on Thu, 5th Feb 2009 8:12 am

    7. Cook County Sunshine…

    Commissioner Tony Peracia should be applauded for introducing a resolution to have Cook County post its check register online.Following the lead of DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan, who opened up the county’s books, Commissioner Peracia demonstrated t…

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