Good Government

Spotlight on Spending #4: Illinois State Energy Subsidies

Spotlight on Spending #4: Illinois State Energy Subsidies

The Problem Illinois’s wealth of energy resources should be utilized to provide Illinois’s families and businesses with reliable sources of power. However, Illinois state government is unnecessarily picking winners and losers, distorting energy prices, and driving up overall government spending by awarding tax dollars to certain energy sectors via special government programs. For example, the...

By Chris Andriesen

Even Small Cuts Matter

Even Small Cuts Matter

by Kate Piercy As we argue in our Spotlight on Spending series, which aims to highlight wasteful or ineffective government spending in Illinois, looking at every type of spending, from smaller to bigger amounts, and asking “Is this the best use of taxpayers’ money,” does matter. David Vaught, state budget director for Illinois, also recognizes the importance...

Meat Factory Given Solar Energy by Taxpayers

Meat Factory Given Solar Energy by Taxpayers

by Will Compernolle The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave a $400,000 grant (#05-02206) in fiscal year 2005 to Solargenix Energy LLC to “provide solar thermal collectors to be installed on a meat packing factory roof.” According to the DCEO’s grant tracker, the grant is part of the Renewable Energy Resources Program, meant “to encourage utilization...

$1.8 Million to 30 Vocational Instructors

$1.8 Million to 30 Vocational Instructors

by Mark Cavers In 2008, the Illinois Department of Corrections employed 30 vocational instructors who made $1,837,058.27 in combined total wages.  The highest paid instructor made $86,477.96 and the average wage for the instructors was $61,000.  These individuals provide “occupational instruction in a specific vocation in a correctional facility.”  On the other hand, the Illinois Department of Human Services employed 16...

Taxpayers Fund High School Basketball Hall of Fame

Taxpayers Fund High School Basketball Hall of Fame

by Will Compernolle The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave a $750,000 grant in fiscal year 2009 to the City of Pinckneyville to “construct a High School Basketball Hall of Fame and a Illinois Rural Heritage Museum.” The DCEO’s grant tracker says the grant (#09-240001) is part of The Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP). To find...

Spotlight on Spending #3: Upward Mobility Program

Spotlight on Spending #3: Upward Mobility Program

The Problem Wish someone would pay for your continuing education so you could get a higher paying job? If you are a unionized Illinois state government employee, you’re in luck. The State of Illinois runs the Upward Mobility Program, which is “a career mobility program designed to give state employees an opportunity to advance to...

By Chris Andriesen

Taxpayers Give Boost to Daniel Burnham Film

Taxpayers Give Boost to Daniel Burnham Film

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave over $83,000 in grants for costs associated with the production and showing of a film about Daniel Burnham.

Upward Mobility Program – Funding a Union Perk at Taxpayer Expense

Upward Mobility Program – Funding a Union Perk at Taxpayer Expense

Illinois taxpayers often struggle to fund higher education costs for their own families; they should not be funding higher education for state employees as well. The Upward Mobility Program should be eliminated.

$300K Given for Reenactment of Lincoln-Douglas Debate

$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.

More Government “Waste” in Cook County

More Government “Waste” in Cook County

In recent weeks there has been a lot of bad news surfacing for taxpayers when it comes to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

$100k Used to Help Celebrate Canadian 4th of July

$100k Used to Help Celebrate Canadian 4th of July

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave a $100,000 grant to help "with the costs associated with hosting the Canadian 4th of July Celebration."

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