536 State Pensions Greater than $100K
Using our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, I found that 536 state retirees received pensions greater than $100,000 in 2009. The sum of these top pensions equaled $68,236,729.44. The largest pension was $212,536.44 for Ivan Pavkovic, a former employee of…
$100K to the Chicago International Film Festival
In fiscal year 2009, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity gave $101,500 to the Chicago International Film Festival. That amount includes an $80,000 grant (grant #09333010), $11,500 for “Fee Agency Participation The Chicago International,” and a $10,000…
Payments to the Mississippi River Parkway Commission
Using our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, I found that in 2009, the State of Illinois paid $30,800 in total to the Mississippi River Parkway Commission. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity paid the MRPC…
$570K on Registration Fees and Conference Expenses
Using our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, I found that in 2007, 2008, and 2009, various state agencies spent a total of $574,759.74 on registration fees and other conference expenses. In 2008, the Department of Commerce and Economic…
$60K for Educational and Instructional Materials and Supplies
Using our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, I found that in 2008 and 2009 (up until the time of our FOIA requests), various state agencies spent $62,753.48 on educational and instructional materials and supplies. The departments that spent the most…
Government Salaries vs. Private Sector Salaries
USA Today highlights yet another good reason for government spending transparency:
Average federal salaries exceed average private-sector pay in 83% of comparable occupations.
Citizens want transparent government for many reasons, and being able to easily review government salaries –…
$50K on UI Benefits Handbook
Using our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, I found that in 2009, the Department of Employment Security spent $50,870.50 on the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Handbook. According to the IDES website, the UI Benefits Handbook…
Over $3,000 for an Economic Forecasting Subscription
Using our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, I found that in 2008, the Illinois Department of Employment Security paid Global Insight (USA) Inc. $3,363.50 for a subscription to their economic forecast. Global Insight (USA) Incorporated is a forecasting…
Alderman Wants More Transparency in Quincy
The Quincy Herald Whig reports Alderman Paul Havermale, R-3, has initiated talks about bringing more transparency to city government in Quincy, “asking city officials to consider some steps to increase “transparency” in city government.”
Havermale…
$1 Million on Delivery of Drugs
Using our transparency site, IllinoisOpenGov.org, I found that in 2008, the Department of Public Health paid Procare Pharmacy in Chicago $1,048,144.44 for “Delivery Of Drugs.” The IDPH made two payments to Procare Pharmacy: one for
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