Kane County, Illinois
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Kane County is one of 102 counties in Illinois. The county has a population of 511,892.[1]
[edit] Website evaluation
- Main article: Evaluation of Illinois county websites
This website was was most recently evaluated on Jan. 12, 2012.
[edit] The good
- County board members are listed with their contact information and salaries.[2]
- Board meeting schedule is posted[3], along with meeting minutes and agendas.[4]
- Financial reports and budget are available online.[5]
- Elected officials are listed with contact information[6].
- Building and zoning information is available.[7]
- County tax information is posted.[8]
- County contracts provided.[9]
- There is a page for public records requests. FOIA request information and form are avaiable online.[10]
- Discloses lobbying contact information.[11]
[edit] Checkbook register
In April of 2009, the county began to post it checkbook register online. It will include department information, account line item charged, a description of expense and the amount spent.[12] “Residents have been scouring their own budgets to make ends meet in this economy – this makes it more convenient to track how their county tax dollars are used as well.” said Karen McConnaughay, Kane County board chairman.[13]
[edit] Lobbying
- Main article: Lobbying in Kane County, Illinois
Kane County has spent at least $676,674.56 since 2005 on taxpayer-funded lobbying.
Taxpayer-funded lobbying is the use of public funds by governments to influence other levels of government. Counties, for example, will pay lobbyists to influence the state or the federal government. This type of lobbying is often not disclosed to constituents. Counties hire lobbyists on a contractual basis, have lobbyists on staff, or join groups which promote or oppose legislation on their behalf. Lobbyists also help counties seeking specific projects or appropriations.
Kane County's lobbying consists of 3 contracts with lobbyists, including Illinois Government Consulting Group. It belongs to 6 taxpayer-funded lobbying associations, including Metro Counties of Illinois.
For more on Kane County lobbying, see the main article.
| $ lobbying total | $ Illinois | $ federal government | $ lobbying groups | # lobbying contracts | # lobbying groups |
| $676,674.56 | $271,666.56 | $300,725.00 | $95,017 | 3 | 6 |
[edit] Salaries
Kane County salaries are salaries paid to elected officials and county employees. Kane County pays a salary or per diem to 889 full and part time employees, including elected officials. Members of the county board earn between $17,500 to $22,000 annually. The county board chairman earns $95,000 as of |2009.
[edit] Pensions
Main article: Illinois Public Pensions
Illinois is facing a crisis with its publicly funded pensions. In 2010 state government was responsible for over $130 billion in pension payments, however they only had $46 billion set aside, which leaves an unfunded liability of about $85 billion. [14] Finding a way to fund that $85 billion will be the focus of the 2011 general assembly. The Pew Center for the States reported that as of 2008, Illinois is one of the worst states at contributing to its pension systems. State lawmakers will consider selling $4 billion of bonds to pay the state's annual payment on the five pension programs it runs. [15] In April, the state legislature created a two-tier system for all municipal and state employees—including teachers and state lawmakers—hired after Jan 1, 2011. Police and fire were included in an earlier draft but removed shortly before the vote. For the others, retirement was raised to 67. [16]
Like the state of Illinois Kane County is also facing some pension concerns. In the 2010 midterm elections, voters in the Kane County municipalities of St. Charles and Wayne approved measures that will tell Illinois lawmakers to give local police and firefighters the same pension benefit rules that state employees enjoy. [17] The Kane County website does not include employees' pension information.
[edit] External links
- Kane County official website
- Kane County Treasurer's Website
- Kane County Recorder's Website
- Kane County Circuit Court Clerk's Website
- Kane County on Epodunk
- Kane County's State Attorney's Office
[edit] References
- ↑ Census Quick Facts - Kane County, Illinois
- ↑ County Board Members
- ↑ Meeting Schedule
- ↑ Minutes and Agendas
- ↑ Finance Department
- ↑ Elected officials
- ↑ Development Department
- ↑ Tax Information
- ↑ County Contracts
- ↑ Public Records Request
- ↑ Retained Advocates
- ↑ Checkbook register
- ↑ The Chronicle, Detailed spending report put online, April 23, 2009
- ↑ Illinois Issues, The Pension Chasm, November 15, 2010
- ↑ State House News, November 4, 2010
- ↑ 'Patch.com' Illinois Senate to Vote on Public Safety Pension Reforms Thursday Morning, Dec. 1, 2010
- ↑ The Courier News, Voters OK with Pension Reform, November 3, 2010
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