Bill limiting state promotional spending moves forward
A bill that would prohibit state agencies from using tax dollars to pay for promotional booths, hospitality suites and other advertising of services at conventions passed in the Illinois House executive committee Wednesday.
The bill is sponsored by Barrington Hills Republican David McSweeney, but has bipartisan support from several suburban Democratic co-sponsors.
No date has been set for a vote by the full House, but McSweeney expects it to happen in the coming weeks.
The bill was drafted after a Daily Herald investigation about spending by a number of state agencies at the Illinois Municipal League conference in September. Six state agencies and the Pace suburban bus system spent nearly $10,000 to rent promotional booths as well as for hotel, food and travel costs for staff at the three-day conference.
The investigation was part of a series on spending at the annual conference by municipalities that cost suburban taxpayers thousands for hotel rooms, gourmet food, valet parking and liquor.