Open Illinois.org

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 $15,000 for a one year membership renewal fee for the Illinois Bureau of Tourism. In the same year, the Department of Transportation paid the MRPC $15,000 in association dues, $500 for registration fees and conference expenses, and $300 for non-state employee travel.

According to the Mississippi River Parkway Commission brochure, “[i]n 1938, the MRPC was established by order of Congress to preserve, promote and enhance the scenic, historic, and recreational treasures along the Mississippi River.” It states that the MRPC “is the only organization that unites all ten Mississippi River states, north and south, in a common effort to improve life, travel and local economies along the Mississippi River corridor.”

To find this information on the IllinoisOpenGov site, go to “Checks to Businesses & People” and enter “Mississippi River Pkwy Comm” in the vendor field. To download the data, click on the CSV or Excel icon below the search results.