Taxpayers on the Hook for Coal Education

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave an $83,400 grant to

by Will Compernolle

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave an $83,400 grant in fiscal year 2007 to Coles Together in Mattoon to “educate Illinois students on coal issues through the development and distribution of classroom curricula.” The DCEO’s grant tracker says the grant (#07-484003) is meant to “increase public awareness of the benefits of Illinois coal.” Similar grants were made to Tuscola Economic Development, Inc. in Tuscola (#07-484004) and The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois in Champaign (#07-484005).

To find this grant on the DCEO grant tracker website, search for “Chicago Park District” in the “Coles Together” field.