Accountability lacking in DuPage economic development
The last few months of press reports and information generated from citizen groups following DuPage County economic development has produced a fruitful civic exercise that includes how public bodies circumvent public accountability by using nongovernmental agencies that engage in government-like business while being substantially, if not wholly, supported by taxpayer dollars.
Other states bring these entities under the umbrella of their public record request laws and open meetings laws. For example, in Wisconsin, the Supreme Court held that nongovernmental local economic development agencies are classified as "quasi governmental" because the function, effect, and status of these entities resemble a government, and therefore subject to state public records and open meetings laws. Unfortunately, Illinois' transparency laws do not encompass these kinds of nongovernment entities.
As evidence for why Illinois law should regulate these entities, examine the relationship between Choose DuPage and DuPage County and the DuPage National Technology Park with the DuPage Airport Authority: both are nonprofit organizations that receive substantial government funding and support in their promotion of economic development and work closely with government entities to achieve a desired outcome, thereby raising questions as to the transparency with which government decision-making is occurring.
Isn't it curious that county board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom is calling for accountability of the DuPage Airport Authority, an independent government entity whose commissioners are appointed by the chairman but are no longer following the desired action of the chairman, rather than the accountability of the nonprofit whose actions are at issue?
A law like Wisconsin's in Illinois makes good sense. Constituents can hold our public officials accountable for relegating the traditional government function of economic development to outside agencies. Illinois simply cannot afford to sacrifice such accountability.
Maryam Judar
Community lawyer, Citizen Advocacy Center
Elmhurst