A Clear Choice for Transparency

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I believe deeply in the unique value of transparency, which is why I have made transparency in government a top priority during my time on the council. The way I see it, true transparency is the bedrock of a government for and by the people. Without transparency, there is little trust, and who knows how little honesty!


That is also why I was most disappointed in those who took no action to open government and increase transparency when they had the chance. Talking about something is cheap; anyone can do it. Getting something substantial done takes a lot more work. My track record of accomplishments in the areas of transparency in government, I believe, are some of the most important, tanglible things that I have done as councilman.

Broadcast of Council Meetings

In 1996, I was on a job assignment in East Peoria, Illionois, a small town of around 18,000 people. One of the things that impressed me most was that even back then they were broadcasting their local City Council meetings on the local cable station. So why wasn’t Plainfield doing the same thing? Such a simple thing as making these meetings available on TV is so powerful; it is hard to imagine why we would not do it as a matter of course.

Fast forward to 2009: When I became Council President, I made one of my promises that we would have full taping of and broadcast of the meetings. I am glad to report that I kept my promise and we now have ALL of the Council meeting on our local access stations. Finally, 13 years after first seeing it in East Peoria, a simple dream of transparency is realized.

Availability of Council Documents at the Public Library

In 2005 when I came on the Council, I wondered why council documents were not more readily available to the public. Certainly, these documents should not be secret and it shouldn’t take an OPRA request just to read much of the information that your elected officials see when they are making choices for you.

As Council president, I made the Council's packets available to anyone via the public library. Today, you can go to the reference section and view these documents. That way, you have the right and the opportunity to keep your elected officials on their toes…I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Web-based Transparency

In 2005 when I joined the City Council, I was shocked and dismayed about how little information the public had about what we (the council) were acting upon. I did not point a finger. I did not blame others. I took matters into my own hands. I purchased a simple scanner and started to put things up on the web through my own site. Today you can see the city's budgets, the council packets, all of our ordinances and of course, our city’s charter on my website, at no cost to you, courtesy of your Councilman-at-Large for the 2nd and 3rd Wards.

I am proud of the work that I have done to increase transparency in our city’s government.

But there is still more to be done. As part of my next term, I intend to make Plainfield a noted example of transparency and open government, through greater Internet resources for the public, increased access to city documents online, and greater ease of contacting your elected officials, seeing their voting records and reviewing their stances on important issues.

I honestly do believe, as the facts are all laid bare for the public to see, that the choice is clear, the accomplishments are real, and the results are tangible. I can continue this path of results, but I need your support on June 8th.