Open Illinois.org

Using our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, I found that in 2008, the Department of Public Health spent $35,024 on meeting facilitators. There are two vendors listed for the expenses. Laura McAlpine of Chicago, IL received $19,824, and “United Assn of Journeymen &” of Savoy, IL received $15,200.

What is a meeting facilitator? Wikipedia describes a meeting facilitator as “someone who helps a group of people understand their common objectives and assists them to plan to achieve them without taking a particular position in the discussion.” It would be helpful if the Department of Public Health listed what events the meeting facilitators were utilized for or how many events the expenses covered. Without such information, it’s difficult to say whether or not these expenditures were an efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

To find these entries on the IllinoisOpenGov site, go to “Checks to Businesses & People” and scroll down “Category of Spending” to “Meeting Facilitator.” To download the data, click on the Excel or CSV icon below the search results.