Most tri-state area residents wouldn't give Illinois the highest marks in a comparison of state governments. But in one category, the Land of Lincoln earns good grades while Iowa and Wisconsin are failing.

U.S. PIRG rated all states on their level of transparency in the area of government spending. The agency looked at how easy or difficult it is for average citizens to go online and look at how state government is using taxpayer dollars. Illinois earned a B for having clear online services that allow citizens to view government transactions akin to looking at the government's checkbook.

Iowa and Wisconsin both received Fs for having no transparency Web site at all.

Illinois is among the states leading the pack with searchable databases that include a range of information such as tax subsidies and economic development grants. Iowa and Wisconsin are behind the curve. Some 32 states have checkbook-level information about spending available online.

State officials have a responsibility to provide information to citizens in a way that is understandable, accessible and timely. Think people aren't interested in tracking how their money is spent?

Think again. Missouri's Web site got more than 13 million hits in its first 18 months. Accessibility is good for government's credibility as well. Houston officials report improved public confidence after the launch of Texas' transparency Web site.

You won't hear this phrase uttered a lot, but Iowa and Wisconsin could take a lesson in this area from Illinois state government.

Just because taxpayers can see what's going on in Illinois state spending doesn't mean they'll like what they see. Spending still exceeds revenue. The National Conference of State Legislatures ranked the top anticipated state budget gaps. Guess who's leading the way? Illinois.

As a percentage of the general fund (45 percent), Illinois ties Nevada for the top spot with an estimated gap of $12.5 billion for fiscal 2011. The bipartisan organization serving legislatures gives Illinois' 2011 revenue outlook a grade of "pessimistic" with decreased revenues expected in the coming year.

The group released its list of the top 15 budget gaps, and Wisconsin was not on the list. But Iowa broke into the top 10. Iowa's estimated gap of $1.07 billion would account for 19.6 percent of general fund and a rank of 10th. Its revenue outlook grade is "concerned" though the group does not expect decreased revenues for Iowa next year.

If there was any wonder about the importance of transparency in state spending, this should make the case.

Read article at Telegraph Herald web site