Waste watch: Illinois funnels $4.6M to children’s sports camp
Illinois lawmakers gave $4.6 million to A Ray of Hope on Earth, a sports camp for children. The grants were 10 times the group’s 2023 budget.
Illinois’ 2026 budget includes three vague grants totaling $4,629,000 to A Ray of Hope on Earth, a sports camp and mentoring organization for children.
A $4 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is for “costs associated with purchasing and renovating facilities.” The facilities to which this item refers are unclear, and the organization does not appear to have its own facilities.
Two more grants from the Illinois Department of Human Services are for $500,000 and $129,000. They are for “operational expenses,” but the budget items lack specifics.
The Chicago nonprofit describes its purpose as “transforming youth through mentoring, camps and workshops,” primarily in Chicago. Its mentoring arm hosts weekly 45-60 minute sessions for 60 kids in Chicago between 6th and 8th grade.
They work on goal setting, leadership, overcoming obstacles, conflict resolution, standardized testing, authentic manhood and sports activities. Its sports camps appear to be the main draw of the organization, given that it was founded by Ray McElroy, a former NFL player. The camps take place during the summer and give kids the opportunity to get coaching from former NFL players.
Based on the organization’s website, the workshops are meant to serve “youth choosing to be college-bound, learn a trade skill, or go into direct employment.”
A Ray of Hope’s total revenue was $415,365 in 2023, according to its tax filing. These state grants are over 10 times that amount, and with little detail about how they will help, why they are needed or evaluation of why this program deserves so much state investment rather than other programs.
Lawmakers claimed the 2026 budget contained no pork, but a closer look shows 2,815 items over $200,000 lawmakers decided to fund in the final hours of the legislative session – rushed, harmful to taxpayers and with no time for public scrutiny.
The items include the funding for A Ray of Hope and $40 million for a sports complex at the alma mater of Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch.
Competitive grants with objective evaluation criteria and reporting requirements should be scored and tracked by a state agency to ensure the funds are allocated and used properly. These earmarks should be made public well in advance of the budget vote – not hidden until state lawmakers can get a photo-op to bolster their reelection bids. Taxpayers should know why the money is being spent and what the public should expect in return for the support.
Reforms such as a state budget spending cap, mandatory public review periods and requiring detailed grant disclosures would help restore transparency and trust in Springfield. A little sunshine would ward off waste.
Want to see the 2,815 earmarks and questionable spending state lawmakers put in this year’s budget? Use our look-up tool below.