New transparency law expands public access to counties’ budget proposals

HB 2474 mandates that certain counties publicize new budget proposals and improves taxpayers’ access to local budget information.

On Aug. 5, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed House Bill 2474, a local-government transparency bill that enhances the notice and publication requirements for certain counties’ annual budget proposals. HB 2474 will make these counties’ budgetary processes more visible and accessible to the public.

Under this law, any county governed by certain budgeting requirements will have to make budget proposals available at a public meeting at least 15 days before a final vote on that budget. If such a county maintains a website, notices related to the budget proposals must be posted there. The county board can still amend budget proposals, but only at a public meeting after the budget has been made available to the public.

Taxpayers in Illinois are facing the consequences of budget crises at every level of government; this bill is a step toward giving them more information and input on how their money is being spent.

Illinois Policy Action supported this bill.