Belleville, IL Eye on government special section, Belleville News-Democrat

Government watchdog

St. Clair County employee wages in 2010

St. Clair County in 2010 listed 1,085 workers who received a total of $38.6 million, or about $2 million less than the 2009 payroll.

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Archive by category ''Government watchdog

GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG

Where's your tax money going? Hundreds of thousands spent to influence state lawmakers

Local units of government and public agencies in the metro-east spent about $220,000 in taxpayers' money last year to influence their own state government, according to a new report from a government reform group.
GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG

Read about plans to improve highways and bridges across Illinois

Learn more about the Illinois Department of Transportation's long-term highway improvement plan for the state.
GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG

When are public meetings held in the metro-east?

Government bodies meet regularly in the metro-east; here's when and where.
GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG

O'Fallon city budget, 2010-11

Here's the budget for the city of O'Fallon in 2010-11, in PDF form.
GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG

District 189 consultants: Who makes how much, and for what job

Here's a list of consultants for East St. Louis School District 189:
GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG

Editor's view: Citizens can insist on accountability

Democracy and government secrecy just don't mix. Whether it's a federal agency forcing you to jump through hoops to see public records or a local board avoiding open discussion about an issue that affects you, closed government is bad for democracy.
GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG

How you can learn what your government is doing

Sunshine Week is a national initiative, led by journalists, to examine the public's right to know what the government is doing, how it is doing it, what it is costing, and why.
GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG

Lobbyist registrations in Illinois

This link provides a search tool for information about lobbying registration in the state.
GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG

School report cards in Illinois

The state maintains school report cards, measuring district students' performance in key academic areas.
GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG

State agencies, boards and commissions in Illinois

This link provides access to a site listing Illinois agencies, boards and commissions.