BY JOHN KRAFT & KIRK ALLEN IL. (ECWd) – In “Rules for Radicals,” Saul Alinsky urged community activists to hold the enemy accountable to its own rules. “No organization,” Alinsky wrote, “can live up to the letter of its own book.” Though not fans of Alinsky, two men from rural Illinois are taking a page
BY JOHN KRAFT & KIRK ALLEN
IL. (ECWd) –
In “Rules for Radicals,” Saul Alinsky urged community activists to hold the enemy accountable to its own rules. “No organization,” Alinsky wrote, “can live up to the letter of its own book.” Though not fans of Alinsky, two men from rural Illinois are taking a page from his playbook, making local government “live up to the letter of its own book” and exposing corruption and malfeasance in turn.
Kirk Allen and John Kraft started Edgar County Watchdogs, a government-accountability nonprofit, in 2011. By appearance, it is a humble operation – Allen and Kraft are the group’s only employees. Edgar County is smaller than most Illinois townships.
In terms of impact, however, the Watchdogs punch well above their weight. Allen and Kraft’s investigative work has resulted in 186 indictments, 28 convictions, and the removal of 425 officials and bureaucrats from public office. They’ve successfully . . . continue reading at: RealClearPolitics.com.
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Judy Jenkins
Posted at 11:45h, 17 April
ReplyWe in Illinois are blessed to have Edgar County Watchdogs! Thank you!
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NiteCat
Posted at 12:20h, 17 April
ReplyThey only whine when you’re over the target. Keep it up Watchdogs.
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PK
Posted at 15:19h, 17 April
ReplyKraft and Allen generally approach local governments by providing information and making requests….at least that’s my impression after reading from their work and publications for some time. It’s when officials flaunt these actions that a more ‘biting’, tenacious tact ensues. So far, the good press they get from time to time doesn’t emphasis ECWd’s otherwise kind, or affable, approach. The poignant strive for better has to recognize what’s done well, or at least fairly good from time to time. Honestly opined by an avid Illinois Leaks reader and public body partner.
Judy Jenkins
Posted at 11:45h, 17 April
Reply
We in Illinois are blessed to have Edgar County Watchdogs! Thank you!
NiteCat
Posted at 12:20h, 17 April
Reply
They only whine when you’re over the target. Keep it up Watchdogs.
PK
Posted at 15:19h, 17 April
Reply
Kraft and Allen generally approach local governments by providing information and making requests….at least that’s my impression after reading from their work and publications for some time. It’s when officials flaunt these actions that a more ‘biting’, tenacious tact ensues. So far, the good press they get from time to time doesn’t emphasis ECWd’s otherwise kind, or affable, approach. The poignant strive for better has to recognize what’s done well, or at least fairly good from time to time. Honestly opined by an avid Illinois Leaks reader and public body partner.