by Amanda Griffin-Johnson

Using our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, I found that in 2007, 2008, and 2009, various state agencies spent a total of $574,759.74 on registration fees and other conference expenses. In 2008, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity spent the most with $93,402.96. In 2009 (by the time of our FOIA request), the Department of Transportation spent more than any other department with a total of $268,996.55. The table below breaks down the expenses by year and department.

There were nearly 500 entities that received payments for registration fees and conference expenses, including both reimbursements to state employees and payments to vendors. The three entities that received the largest payments were the University of Illinois ($46,455), Lincoln Land Community College ($44,080) and Learning Tree International ($33,145).

To find this information on the IllinoisOpenGov site, go to “Checks to Businesses & People” and scroll down “Category of Spending” to “Boothrental Costs for … Conf,” “Conf Fee…,” “Reg Fee …,” “Registratin Fee …,” “Registration & Conference Pymnts To Vendors,” “Registration Fee …,” “Registratn Fee …,” and other similar categories. To download the information, click on the Excel or CSV icon below the search results.