Party Cost $79K Meant For Flood Repair
A party at the Brookfield Zoo for families affected by flooding cost nearly $79,000. That was federal grant money meant to restore flood-damaged h0mes.
CHICAGO (AP) - Newly-released county documents show that Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's administration took nearly $79,000 in federal grant money intended to restore flood-damaged homes and used it to treat flood-affected families to a party at Brookfield Zoo. The event was called "a family resource day."
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An invoice obtained by the Chicago Tribune showed the Sept. 12 event included picnic baskets for as many as 2,250 people, a prize raffle, a disc jockey, a face painter, a juggler and a stilt walker. There also was a music therapy workshop.
Flood victims also received tips on how to remove mold, job training and health screenings.
Stroger spokesman Marcel Bright declined to comment Tuesday, saying the handling of $10.3 million federal disaster relief grant is being probed by Inspector General Patrick Blanchard.
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