Twitter and Widgets and Blogs, Oh My

Many states have created their own versions of recovery.gov, the federal Web site that tells taxpayers where their economic stimulus dollars are going.

But Illinois' is the best in terms of civic engagement, according to a piece on socialgovernment.com, a blog that labels itself as "turning government into government 2.0" and keeps an eye on how governments are using new media to engage residents.

The socialgovernment.com entry gives shout-outs to other states using new media well.

It likes what New Hampshire and Tennessee have done with relaying traffic conditions to residents. And how Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggeruses Twitter, the microblogging site. And how Virginia uses new media in many forms, including providing widgets with Virginia information for people to put on their own blogs and Web sites.

Take a gander and ponder what social media your state or local government should try next.