Programs and Services that Benefit Illinois
Illinois' "return on investment" far exceeds its annual dues. As a member in good standing, Illinois not only realizes monetary benefits, but also enjoys the benefits resulting from regional cooperation in promoting sound public policy on an array of regional economic development, environmental protection and resource management initiatives.

State Dues for Programs and Services
Illinois' support for and participation in the Great Lakes Commission offers a very substantial "return on investment" relative to state dues.

Outside Grants and Contracts
Illinois' dues help leverage the Commission's ability to access outside grants and contracts for priority projects of the eight member states. Since FY1990, when the outside grants and contracts program was initiated, more than $20 million from non-state sources has been added directly to the Commission's budget for these priorities. Illinois' active participation in the Commission is a critical factor in successful grant applications and contract awards.

Generating Funds for Illinois' State and Regional Prioriites
Thanks to the strong support and participation of Illinois and all Great Lakes states, the Great Lakes Commission is generating new sources of financial support for state and regional priorities. Many of these funds are passed directly through to member states via competitive or targeted grants. The federal/state Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sedimentation, for example, has made $4,286,431 available since FY1991 for demonstration grants and special projects to member states. A total of $59,500 has been allocated to Illinois since the program's inception. Also, an innovative regional air emissions inventory project funded through U.S. EPA and the Great Lakes Protection Fund has made more than $6.3 million available to the region. These monies have supported software development and related activities that benefit air programs in every Great Lakes state. Over the past five years, more than $375,960 has been available for pass through to Illinois.

Advocating Federal Funding for Great Lakes Progams
The Commission's enabling legislation the Great Lakes Basin Compact calls upon the organization to represent the interests of its eight member states in Washington, D.C. This includes ongoing, aggressive advocacy for regional economic development, environmental protection and resource management programs. Many such programs exist because of the Commission's efforts; other programs are better funded than they otherwise might be. While quantification of advocacy efforts is difficult to do with precision, the Commission's role in the collective Great Lakes advocacy effort does benefit the region on the order of tens of millions of dollars each year.