Increasing Illinois government transparency

In September Governor Pat Quinn signed a new executive order to further increase transparency and accountability in government by establishing a new state Open Operating Standard. The order encourages state agencies and local governments across Illinois to increase the amount of raw data they share with each other, ­businesses, academic ­institutions and the general public.

The State of Illinois Open Data site, Data.Illinois.Gov, is a searchable clearing­house of information from state agencies that is helping inform residents about the operation of state government and encouraging the ­creative use of state ­information, including the development of ­applications for mobile devices that can be built around the data.

“In signing this executive order to adopt an open operating standard, Governor Quinn is strengthening Illinois’ role as a national leader in open data, citizen engagement and transparency,” said Sean Vinck, State Chief Information Officer.