Today the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County began rolling out its far-reaching transparency initiative with the launch of a “Transparency Portal” on its website, dupageforest.org.

Available as a link from each page of the District’s website, the portal serves as a centralized source of frequently requested information, including District budgets, contact information, Board of Commissioners actions and employee salaries.

Reach the portal directly at http://www.dupageforest.com/AboutUs/Transparency_Portal.html

Once the portal is fully functional, the District will be the most transparent among similar government entities in Illinois. The District’s Board of Commissioners committed to the project in January.

“We are determined to make the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County the most transparent conservation organization in Illinois,” said Forest Preserve District President D. “Dewey” Pierotti Jr. “Our website will give residents more information, and it will be easier to find than what has previously been available. We will be adding additional information in the future.”

Key elements in the portal include the following:

• Searchable “Open Checkbook” showing all District spending

• Searchable salary information on all District employees

• Tax and fee information

• List of lobbyists

• Better-organized meeting minutes, agendas and archived materials

In coming weeks, the portal will also provide the following:

• A Freedom of Information Act center, where residents can make and track requests

• Contact information for a new transparency committee that will make recommendations for future transparency improvements

Established in 1915, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County manages over 25,000 acres of prairies, woodlands and wetlands. Each year, over 4.3 million visitors enjoy the District’s 60 forest preserves, 145 miles of trails, five education centers, and scores of scheduled programs and events. To learn more, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org.