Elgin spends $18,400 in a year on city officials attending fundraisers

The city of Elgin spends money on tickets for fundraising events attended by council members and their spouses, an uncommon practice among other suburbs.

The city spent $18,400 from mid-September 2013 to mid-September 2014 on tickets for breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, golf outings and other events benefiting nonprofit agencies, according to information obtained via the Freedom of Information Act.

Expenses ranged from $20 for a ticket to an Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce's “CEO Unplugged” event to $2,500 for two tables of 10 people for a YWCA “Leader Luncheon.”

The city routinely purchases such tickets as a way to support local nonprofits, City Manager Sean Stegall said.

The practice began a few years ago, when the city's share of gambling revenues, which funds grants for local nonprofits, started to decline, he said. Before then, the city's grant agreements included free tickets to fundraising events.

“The feeling of the council at the time was that these dinners were fundraisers, and this was one small way of offsetting (the decreased grants),” Stegall said.

The expenses

The city manager's office and the city council accounted for the bulk of the expense, or $16,565 for 34 events in the 12-month period. The parks and recreation department spent $1,500, while the police department spent $300 and the community development department spent $25.

The total includes a $5,000 expense for sponsorship of Judson University's World Leaders Forum, which included two tickets, but that is part of the city's marketing efforts, Stegall said.

Stegall said his office purchases tickets based on city council members' interest in attending. City staff members occasionally attend as well.

“In the end, it doesn't amount to a significant portion of the city's budget,” whose general fund accounted for $105 million in expenses this year, he said.

Councilman John Steffen and Councilwoman Tish Powell were the most frequent attendees, with 15 events each.

“I'll take an extra ticket (for my wife) if there is one available,” said Steffen, whose wife attended 10 events. “In my mind, it's just using tickets that other people on the council didn't need.”

Steffen said the city could buy individual tickets, rather than full tables, if there isn't enough interest from council members.

Attending the events is a chance to talk to people in the community, Powell said.

“Everyone is not on Facebook. Everyone doesn't attend our city council meetings,” Powell said, adding she sometimes buys tickets on her own.

“You don't only learn more about what the organization is doing and their successes, you also hear about some of what their challenges are.”

Councilman Rich Dunne attended 12 events, all but once with his wife. Dunne said he thought the tickets came free as part of grant agreements with the city.

“I think as an elected official there is a reason to go. It's much easier for constituents to reach out and talk to you,” he said. “I'm kind of torn (about the expense).”

Stegall pointed out that while some events benefit agencies that get grants from the city, such as the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin, others benefit agencies that don't, such as the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame.

The city shouldn't pay for council members and their spouses to attend nonprofit fundraisers, said Councilman John Prigge, who didn't attend any in the 12-month span.

“If we don't get free tickets, we should pay out of our own pocket,” he said. “I don't think the taxpayers should pay for baked chicken and twice-baked potatoes.”

What others do

The city of Aurora purchases tickets for nonprofits' events and encourages staff members to attend if they have work connections, city officials said.

Aurora also allocates discretionary funds to aldermen, who can use the money for fundraisers; spouses are allowed to attend some events such as dinners and dances, officials said.

Officials from several other suburbs said typically little or no government money is spent on that.

The city of Waukegan buys tickets only for the mayor's yearly address, said Waukegan Director of Communications David Motley.

The event is attended by aldermen and city staff members, he said.

“That's not to say that it (purchasing tickets for nonprofit events) didn't happen in the past, but it doesn't happen now,” he said.

Linda LaCloche, Naperville's communications manager, said the city buys tickets for some events organized by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.

“That's strictly for city personnel, and it's more for the leadership,” she said.

Schaumburg Village Manager Brian Townsend said it's rare for the city to pay for elected officials to attend nonprofits' events.

“We do not cover the cost of attendance for spouses under any circumstances,” he said.

The village of Arlington Heights also doesn't typically do that, officials said.

Elgin Mayor David Kaptain said he believes his city's practice is OK. “It's a difference of opinion, but it's a valid thing to raise,” he said.

It's important to support nonprofit organizations, who are happy when elected officials attend because it “elevates” their fundraisers, he said.

Councilman Toby Shaw, who attended one event, along with his wife, in the 12-month span, said the city council should re-examine its policy.

“It's a good chunk of money,” he said. “We need to look at it.”