Adam Norris Andrzejewski, 55, of Hinsdale passed away peacefully in his sleep at home Aug. 18, 2024.
Adam was born in 1969 to John and Janet (Norris) Andrzejewski. He grew up in Herscher, a small town full of good people and a place that formed in him a strong sense of community and civic pride. He studied business at Northern Illinois University and after graduating with a bachelor's degree in business management and working briefly as a financial adviser, he became an entrepreneur, co-founding the community publishing firm HomePages® Directories which grew eventually to become the largest publisher of small-town telephone directories in the United States. Seeking a larger impact, Adam successfully exited that business after nine years of rapid growth and began a second career in public service and public policy.
Starting with a gathering of concerned parents and taxpayers at a neighbor's kitchen in 2008, Adam began obtaining and publishing local school district expenditure records online. His call to "publish the public checkbook" and create better governmental accountability grew quickly from suburban school districts to community colleges and from there to eventually become OpenTheBooks.com. With the mission "Every Dime, Online, in Real Time," Adam's nonprofit became the nation's largest government transparency portal, growing eventually to include billions of searchable government payroll, pension and line item expenditures from all units of local, state, and federal government.
In the words of the Wall Street Journal, "OpenTheBooks.com has fomented a revolution in fiscal transparency." His fact-based, nonpartisan work broke national news independently and also consistently supported journalists across the political spectrum, from Fox News to the New York Times. Research published by OpenTheBooks.com is repeatedly cited in Congressional oversight hearings and reflected in federal legislation. Adam's incredible work ethic, energy, and practical sense of optimism will be deeply missed by his colleagues at work and by advocates for strong fiscal accountability in government everywhere.
Adam' proudest role was as husband and father. If you spoke with Adam on any topic for more than a minute or two, you were certain to hear a story about Kerry, the love of his life, or about his daughters Emma, Molly and Ellie, who filled Adam's days with joy, surprise, and constant wonder.
He was a man of quiet faith who trusted God deeply. As a dad, husband, entrepreneur or public accountability advocate, Adam was first a good friend and a positive influence on everyone he came to know. Across a wide circle of people from all walks of life, Adam was loved for his enthusiasm, encouragement, optimism and decency.
In addition to his wife and daughters, he is survived by his six younger siblings and his mother.
Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Sullivan Family Funeral Home, 60 S. Grant St., Hinsdale.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, 306 W. Fourth St., Hinsdale.
