Reference: Illinois Comptroller Launches OpenBook, a State Contracts and Campaign Contributions Database
From the Office of the Illinois Comptroller:
Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger on Wednesday unveiled her Office’s latest transparency website, OpenBook, which allows Illinoisans to use a “google-like” features to easily compare state contracts with campaign contributions.
To access OpenBook, visit openbook.illinoiscomptroller.gov.
By combining information from the Comptroller’s accounting system with information collected by the Illinois State Board of Elections, residents are able to enter the name of an organization that does business with the State of Illinois and look at the political contributions that entity or its employees have made.
The site’s special features include:
A “Search System” that gives users easy access to the data by allowing them to begin searching with what they know.
A “Mobile Friendly Interface” that allows taxpayers to access OpenBook on-the-go from their smartphones and tablets, in addition to desktop.
“Tutorial Videos” that allow constituents to follow along for an in-depth explanation of the site’s functions.
Direct to OpenBook
See Also: Transparency: State of Illinois Comptroller Releases Comprehensive Financial Database (April 2, 2016)
Filed under: Data Files, News, Patrons and Users
About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.