$300K Given for Reenactment of Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, shows the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave $300,000 in grants for costs associated with the sesquicentennial of the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

by Will Compernolle

Our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, shows the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave a $50,000 grant (#08-333000) in fiscal year 2009 to the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition to “cover costs associated with interpreting and promotion of the reenactment of the 150th anniversary of the Lincoln Douglas debates.” An additional grant (#08-333001) of $250,000 was given to “cover administrative costs associated with coordinating the Lincoln Douglas debate sesquicentennial.”

The DCEO grant tracker also shows an additional $15,000 grant (#08-333002) was given to the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition to “cover costs related to the development and maintenance of a statewide Lincoln Bicentennial website.”

To find this grant on the IllinoisOpenGov.org site, go to “Checks to Businesses & People” and search “Looking for Lincoln Heritage” in the “Vendor” field.