WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderReport details alleged wasteful spending in Illinois

Report details alleged wasteful spending in Illinois

CHICAGO (WREX) - A report claims the state of Illinois will rack up $350 million in wasteful spending this year.

The Illinois Policy Institute and Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) released the 2010 Illinois Piglet Book on Tuesday. It reviews spending plans for education, health and human services, natural resources, agriculture, the arts council and economic development.

"Springfield has a spending problem, not a revenue problem-and these numbers just scratch the surface. It is clear the appetite for spending must be curtailed if we are going to solve our budget crisis," said Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman.

"In this difficult economic climate, Illinoisans have tightened their belts, yet our lawmakers continue to spend our tax dollars like there is no tomorrow," said Nicole Kurokawa, Author of 2010 Illinois Piglet Book. "Passing on such monumental debt to future generations is selfish and fiscally irresponsibility, and must end."

Examples from the report include:

• $6,500 for a tub of live bass.The state paid for fishing seminars and demonstrations using a 4,000-gallon, 40-foot long tank filled with live fish. 
• $10,000 for a Hollywood gala. Taxpayer dollars funded a star-studded party for "Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan.
• $1,100 for Hawaiian party props.Tax money made its way to Island Enterprises, a company providing "everything for luaus and Hawaiian themed events from dancers to music to props and apparel."
• $78,066 for quail promotion.The state is funding Quail Unlimited, which is "dedicated to the wise use and management of America's wild quail, doves, upland game birds and other forms of wildlife."
• $353,165 for car racing. The state is funding Raceway Associates, which partners with big-time races like the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500, as well as a massive construction grant for Atkinson Motorsports Park in northwestern Illinois.