Open Illinois.org

After searching the Illinois Policy Institute’s new transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, I found the Department of Transportation spent a total of $405,065 on “Association Dues,” ranging from the American Welding Society ($80) to the National Association of Governors ($16,312). Most “Association Dues” are under $500. However, some reach as high as $76,192. There are also many “Association Dues” sent more than once to a single vendor. For example, 11 payments classified as “Association Dues” went to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, totaling $163,392. Among these 11 payments, the smallest was $1,200 and the largest $76,192.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials sounds like an organization that would make sense for the Department of Transportation to be a part of, yet, the $163,392 price tag seems a little absurd. Why such high dues? Are they necessary? Why? These are questions the public must start asking.

To find this: go to IllinoisOpenGov.org, click Checks to Businesses & People, click Department of Transportation under Department, then under Category of Spending click Association Dues, and then click Amount to sort from largest to smallest.