Open Illinois.org

In 2008, the Chicago Architecture Foundation was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to “assist in the development of the 2008-2009 Special Exhibitions.”  According to the DCEO Grant Tracker (Under “Search Grants by Organization” search Chicago Architecture Foundation, Grant #09-335008), the Special Exhibitions will feature a “state-of-the-art scale model of the city of Chicago.”

Building models is a wonderful hobby but may not be the best use of the taxpayer’s money.  I also have never heard of a “state-of-the-art” model.  Perhaps there have been major breakthroughs in model-building technology.  Want to see what the Institute thinks about the DCEO?  Check it out here.

To find this information on our IllinoisOpenGov.org website, go to “Checks to Businesses & People”.  Under the “Department” section search Dept. of Commerce, and under “Vendor” search Chicago Architecture.