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Watchdog Group Applauds DuPage County Chairman for Transparency Plan to Show Taxpayers the Money
CHICAGO – The taxpayer watchdog group Americans for Prosperity (AFP) today commended DuPage County Chairman Robert Schillerstrom for accepting the group’s challenge to bring more transparency to the county’s budget. In an opinion piece dated December 8, 2007, AFP-Illinois Director Joe Calomino called on county officials to provide an online searchable database detailing the use of public dollars.
In a letter to Calomino on January 22, Schillerstrom noted DuPage County currently posts its budget and financial plans on the website, but would also “begin placing all of our financial reports on our website to further enhance our transparency.” Schillerstrom said the county can do even more to enhance transparency and he would work with AFP, a national and state leader on the issue, to develop a plan of action. “Ensuring county government is open and transparent is simply good public-policy. That is why we are committed to developing a plan … and continu[ing] our dialogue with Americans for Prosperity,” Schillerstrom wrote.
AFP will continue its push for reform in Illinois by sending letters to county leaders across the state encouraging them to follow the lead of Chairman Schillerstrom. The movement for transparent government has taken hold in DuPage County and with the support of AFP and Schillerstrom will spread across the state. AFP looks forward to working with Chairman Schillerstrom and encourages him to actively recruit other members of the board to support meaningful reform.
“Americans for Prosperity believes that taxpayers deserve to know how their money is spent and this push for transparency on the county level is driven by that belief,” said Calomino. “Traditional budget publications are often very difficult for experts – let alone ordinary taxpayers – to understand. We support the creation of an easy-to-use online database that will allow citizens to access information about local spending in a straightforward fashion.”
Americans for Prosperity has a long record of leading on transparency reform, including strong support for the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, sponsored by Senators Coburn (R-OK) and Obama (D-IL). AFP has also played a key role in passing transparency legislation on the state level in both Kansas and Oklahoma.
Contact: Joe Calomino, (847) 204-8514 or Annie Patnaude, (202) 349-5896
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is the nation’s premier grassroots organization committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
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