Springfield, IL—(ENEWSPF)—April 1, 2011. On Tuesday, the Illinois House approved legislation sponsored by State Representative Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) creating a special bicameral commission tasked with investigating nearly all forms of state spending and making binding spending cut recommendations.
“Just as any homeowner or businessman must do, the State of Illinois must reduce spending and live within its means,” DeLuca said. “This new bipartisan commission will make binding recommendations on spending cuts and will help to substantially reduce unnecessary state spending, eliminate red tape and streamline government.”
House Bill 1512 creates the Commission on Taxpayer Oversight and Reduction of State Spending, a panel comprised of Republican and Democratic members of the House and Senate. The legislation sets the legal mandate of the commission to: conduct investigations, review the governor’s budget in an effort to make recommendations for further spending cuts; review agency spending and grant recipients; review proposals to reduce state and local spending by eliminating mandated spending; and study proposals to consolidate agencies.
Additionally, the bill specifies that the commission will conduct at least one public hearing and have the power to issue reports. The governor would be required to respond, in writing, within 30 calendar days after the reports are produced.
The commission is also responsible for monitoring the performance of agencies and entities that receive taxpayer dollars and ensuring they perform in the most cost-effective way possible.
House Bill 1512 passed the House with a unanimous vote of 114 – 0 and now moves to the Senate for further consideration
Source: State Representative DeLuca
