Hoffman board OKs transparency resolution

Hoffman Estates is aiming to become a leader in online financial transparency in the Northwest suburbs.

Trustees Monday unanimously approved a resolution paving the way for all personnel costs to be posted online.

This information will include not only each employee's budgeted salary, but also all payroll taxes and fringe benefits such as pension contributions, workers' compensation costs and insurance.

The village Web site also will have a chart of all paid days off for Hoffman Estates employees, including their sick days, vacation days and personal days.

Mayor William McLeod said the information to be posted doesn't exceed what's required to be disclosed by the Freedom of Information Act, but reflects the new expectation that such public information shouldn't need to be specifically requested.

"Even Cook County does it," McLeod said. "You want to be transparent."

Though Cook County and school districts in the state have started posting employee salaries on their Web sites, McLeod suggested Hoffman Estates is going even further by posting additional benefits information as well.

He added that this is the type of access citizens are coming to expect, and there's no point in waiting until it's required by the state or federal governments.

The resolution gives village staff three weeks to forward the relevant information to the village board.

McLeod said he expects the information to be available reasonably soon on the village Web site, and that the data will be kept up-to-date as employees move in and out, earn raises or see changes in their benefits.

McLeod said he's heard of no protest of the new policy by employees.