The Center for Public Integrity has released the results of an in-depth study regarding the accountability and transparency of every state government in the nation.
Nicholas Kusnetz of the CPI said the data for the study was gathered by experienced reporters all over the country who were guided by specific questions and indicators.
It gave states ratings in 13 separate categories like public access to information and budget processes. The results of the investigation are shocking.
Kuznets said the highest overall integrity score received by any state was Alaska with only a 76.2 out of 100. All but 13 states in the U.S. received a D or lower.
“I think it points out, really, what’s lacking in most states, which is modernized access to information. You know, a lot of public records laws are decades old now and as the years go on they just sort of get bloated with more and more loopholes and exceptions,” Kusnetz said.
While Kusnetz said major reform is rare, he hopes the investigation will give citizens a better idea of how our states are run.
Illinois ranked 13th in the country with a total score of 67 out of 100.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We previously stated that Illinois received a “D” rating, when in fact it was a “D+”.
