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Speaker Michael Madigan Requests House Panel Consider Rauner Proposals to Cut Cost of State Government


SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –(ENEWSPF)–January 26, 2017.  Speaker Michael J. Madigan, D-Chicago, has requested a legislative committee take up potential cost-cutting changes to the state’s procurement process offered by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

“Governor Rauner has proposed a series of changes to the state’s procurement process that could generate savings for the state, and I believe they are worth considering,” Madigan said. “I want to work with the governor to reduce the cost of state government while maintaining transparent and ethical conduct in contracting.”

Illinois enacted procurement reforms in 2009 following the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The reforms created a system of checks to reduce conflicts of interest, including the use of chief procurement officers, state purchasing officers, procurement monitors, and the Procurement Policy Board.

In a letter to state Rep. Al Riley, chairman of the House State Government Administration Committee, Madigan urged members of the committee to immediately begin vetting Rauner’s proposed changes to the state procurement code, and consider the governor’s proposal to streamline the process and reduce costs. In doing so, the committee will thoroughly vet the current procurement process and determine how the Legislature could eliminate unnecessary costs while ensuring ethical conduct.

“Considering these changes is an important step in making state government run more efficiently and at a lower cost to taxpayers, but also in fostering cooperation between the governor and the Legislature,” Madigan said. “The state’s procurement process must provide adequate protections for taxpayer dollars, but we must always be open to considering ways to implement this process with reduced cost.”

Speaker Madigan’s letter to Rep. Riley, chairman of the House State Government Administration Committee is below:

Representative Al Riley

262-W Stratton Office Building

Springfield, IL 62706

Dear Representative Riley:

As you are aware, Governor Rauner has proposed a series of changes to the state procurement process. I agree with the governor that we may generate savings for the state through procurement changes, and I would like to work to enact reasonable measures that reduce the cost of state government while protecting transparency and ethical conduct in all contracting decisions.

I would request that the State Government Administration Committee begin immediate consideration of the governor’s proposals. In doing so, I would ask the Committee to:

  • Evaluate ways to streamline the current structure to improve the procurement process;
  • Analyze and determine whether there is a need for the current structure, which includes Chief Procurement Officers, State Purchasing Officers, Procurement Monitors, and the Procurement Policy Board;
  • Examine whether current law provides sufficient protections to ensure ethical procurements and avoid alleged conflicts of interest, and if those protections adequately protect the taxpayers or serve as a deterrent to the procurement process;
  • Conclude whether the law should be amended to address needs and duties of certain agencies or institutions.
  • Determine if joint purchasing agreements would be beneficial to the State and local governments.

Cost-saving measures that maintain a fair and transparent procurement process are a priority for the governor and for the House Democratic Caucus.

I look forward to working with you on this measure.

With kindest personal regards, I remain

Sincerely yours,

Source: House Speaker Madigan’s Office

 

 

 


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