$45K Grant Given to Help Fund Tour Boat
$45K Grant Given to Help Fund Tour Boat
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave a $45,000 grant to buy a tour boat.
Institute in the Examiner: Illinois Policy Institute Puts Spotlight on Wasteful State Spending
Institute in the Examiner: Illinois Policy Institute Puts Spotlight on Wasteful State Spending
During a time when the Gulf oil disaster and the ever-increasing and mind-numbing federal debt are (rightly) dominating the news, it is easy to forget about the overwhelming fiscal challenges facing our own state government.
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...
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."
$13 Million for Environmental Protection Engineers
$13 Million for Environmental Protection Engineers
In 2008, the State of Illinois employed almost 200 environmental protection engineers at a cost of over $13 million.
Money Given to Increase Awareness of Illinois, Chicago in Ireland
Money Given to Increase Awareness of Illinois, Chicago in Ireland
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave $50,000 to promote awareness of Chicago and Illinois in the Republic of Ireland.
Spotlight on Spending #2: Tourism Grants
Spotlight on Spending #2: Tourism Grants
The Problem The State of Illinois spends around $50 million per year on tourism. Revenue from the Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax, which is 6 percent of 94 percent of gross rental receipts, funds tourism spending. Revenue from the hotel tax also goes towards the Build Illinois Fund, the Illinois Sports Facilities Fund, and the General...
Texas Model for Transparency
Texas Model for Transparency
What can Illinois learn from Texas?
U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Release of AZ Campaign Matching Funds
U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Release of AZ Campaign Matching Funds
A victory for Arizona taxpayers.
Tourism Grants – Spurring the Economy or Wasteful Spending?
Tourism Grants – Spurring the Economy or Wasteful Spending?
Rather than giving special benefits to a few specific tourist attractions, Illinois needs to consider new avenues for attracting tourists, such as decreasing the cost of visiting Illinois by lowering taxes.