State Puts Budget Reports Online

Illinois budget officials are posting online reports about how much government is taking in and spending.

Gov. Pat Quinn's budget director said the unofficial reports will help taxpayers keep track of state finances during a budget crisis.

The Office and Management and Budget usually waits to publish such reports until they are audited. That takes much longer.

The budget deficit could hit $15 billion by year's end.

Independent national accounting firm Baker Tilly worked with the Office of Management and Budget to analyze 75 state funds within 35 agencies to develop the financial indicators.

There are more than 600 state funds but officials say the ones analyzed account for the bulk of the budget.

The Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago helped fund the project.

http://www.state.il.us/budget/