Illinois Pays $100k to Host a Football Game Between Two Out-of-State Universities

by Wesley Fox The Chicago Football Classic Inc. received a $100,000 grant to assist in hosting the Chicago Football Classic. According to the DCEO website the game “will feature Mississippi Valley State versus Southern University.” Southern University is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Mississippi Valley State is located in Itta Bena, Mississippi. The grant was part of...

by Wesley Fox

The Chicago Football Classic Inc. received a $100,000 grant to assist in hosting the Chicago Football Classic. According to the DCEO website the game “will feature Mississippi Valley State versus Southern University.” Southern University is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Mississippi Valley State is located in Itta Bena, Mississippi.

The grant was part of the Domestic Tourism Promotion Grant Program.  The Program provides grants “to assist with costs associated with attracting/hosting domestic Tourism events in Illinois.”

It is questionable if hosting a football game between two out-of-state universities actually generates tourism revenue let alone enough to justify a $100,000 grant.  One also has to wonder if taxpayers should be paying to host football games at all.

To find this information on our IllinoisOpenGov.org website, go to “Checks to Businesses & People.” Under the “Department” section search Dept. of Commerce, and under “Vendor” search Chicago Football Classic.