The new local flavor of political tea

With November elections behind us, the fervor of the tea party has somewhat faded from view. But the grass-roots movement that started two years ago with a goal of restoring American values is anything but dormant. Shifting their focus from nationwide issues, it appears that members, at least in one Northwest suburb, now will be pushing for changes in their own back yard.

In their minds, all is not well close to home. As staff writer Kimberly Pohl reported this week, the Palatine tea party aims to ensure local government spending is kept in check — and can be easily checked by residents as well. They want the public to know how leaders are using tax dollars, and they’re questioning moves like a 3.99 percent property tax levy increase and expenditures such as new shirts and jackets for elected officials. They want transparency with a capital T.

The new focus of local conservative groups is not surprising. In a state reeling from years of corruption and financial mismanagement, calls for accountability are more pronounced than ever. Some improvements to sunshine laws in Illinois make public records more accessible to citizens. In addition, Chicago-area tea party groups are posting village budgets as well as pensions and salaries of government workers online. The more information that gets out, the better for the democratic process.

Of course, there are some who view tea partyers as gadflies who tout grandiose goals but only stymie progress. Many residents of Palatine wouldn’t object to a $439 bill to outfit newly elected leaders for official functions. Some might see the outing of this particular expenditure as exuberance gone awry, and perhaps it is. In addition, the Palatine group’s coordinator, Craig Mijares, already has been chastised by the village for objecting to tax increases in the budget on the night of the vote, instead of during the weeks of open meetings leading up to it.

Still, it’s the intent of the effort that is heartening. If this becomes a trend that motivates more people to become involved in government processes, all will benefit. If it degenerates into a bumbling, nitpicking tirade, few will take it seriously. The new citizen muckrakers have the potential for positive outcomes locally if they choose their targets wisely and do their homework. Anyone taking a cursory look at expenditures is likely to find purchases he or she disagrees with. But those who criticize without a wider perspective, those who fail to learn the how or why of any spending, those who are not prepared to offer reasonable alternatives, will appear disingenuous at best.

If the hyperlocal movement continues, these activists can accomplish something valuable that the average citizen doesn’t take the time to do. They will bring frivolous spending and wasteful practices to light, and an informed public is a step toward a stronger, more efficient government.