Illinois tourism agency hit with scandal

State development agency accused of mismanagement for handling of deputy’s conflict of interest

SPRINGFIELD — The state economic development department “committed mismanagement” by failing to investigate potential conflicts of interest for a deputy director who continued to be paid by his former company, which had a contract with the state agency, according to a report from Illinois’ top government watchdog. Daniel Thomas started as deputy director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s tourism office in 2023 aft…

Illinois tourism agency hit with scandal – WGNTV (Chicago)

Daniel Thomas made frequent appearances in the media promoting Illinois through his work as deputy director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, but the inspector general found he was still profiting from his former company that was hired to help with the state's marketing effort.

Illinois tourism agency hit with scandal

CHICAGO (WGN) — The self-described "face of Illinois tourism" was financially benefiting from efforts to market the state, according to findings from Illinois' executive inspector general. Daniel Thomas made frequent appearances in the media promoting Illinois through his work as deputy director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, but the inspector general found he was still profiting from his former company that was hired to…

Capitol Fa - Your Illinois News Radar » DCEO deputy director ousted after massive conflicts of interest allegedCapitolFax.com

* Illinois Executive Inspector General… [Now-former Deputy Director of the Tourism Office, Daniel Thomas] began at DCEO in July 2023 after being the owner and Chief Executive Officer of TimeZoneOne, a communications agency and DCEO vendor. The OEIG’s investigation showed that when Mr. Thomas was hired, he did not reveal to DCEO he was still [...]