Status quo unacceptable in Illinois
With the beginning of a new year and a primary election only weeks away, it is important that voters make good decisions in the Feb. 2 primary and Nov. 2 general election.
They must stop the chronic abuse and neglect that has placed Illinois at a crossroads that could result in a more people and business friendly environment or keep Illinois in a downward spiral.
How is it that over the last seven years under single party rule, our elected officials have recklessly spent their way into an $11.9 billion deficit burdening future generations? Also of concern is an unemployment level in excess of 10 percent.
It cannot be disputed that spending in Illinois is out of control and riddled with waste, yet during 2009 legislators managed to find plenty of taxpayers dollars for pork project - $3.1 billion worth! - even as Governor Quinn warned of cutting back state services to the poor and sick.
Taxes and spending must be reduced along with meaningful pension reform.
Might there by a way for ordinary citizens to acquire information about state spending so they might respond and demand action from elected officials?
The Illinois Policy Institute recently developed a comprehensive tool which allows citizens and the media to look at details of state spending through a user-friendly Web site.
IllinoisOpenGov.org details state spending down to the agency, person, and penny. With this transparency tool, state spending - including payroll and pension information for government employees - is readily available.
Transparency is not a panacea, but IlinoisOpenGov.org is a powerful tool that will force legislators to think about how dollars are being spent, knowing there is monitoring being done.
The Feb. 2 primary and Nov. 2 general election will give voters the opportunity to repudiate those who promote sleaze, corruption, tax and spend policies, and sham reforms.
This is not the time to forgive and forget. Instead, 2010 is the time to sweep the state and county governments clean.
Illinois needs reform. Illinoisans deserve more and must demand better government through competent and honest legislators.
Nancy J. Thorner
Lake Bluff