A push to urge lawmakers to authorize a private sector “deep dive” into state agency spending is being made by members of the Republican Party.
The House bill is modeled after President Ronald Reagan’s 1982 executive order for a private sector study on cost control, which resulted in the 1984 “Grace Commission” report.
One of the leaders of the push is Alpha State Representative Dan Swanson, a veteran, who said that after reviewing the reports, things need to change.
“The timing is right with a new Governor and newly appointed Directors to establish controls and hold State agencies accountable to gain efficiencies for Illinois’ taxpayers,” Swanson said. “A common practice in the military is for a new leader coming into their position to review the most current inspection reports to find deficiencies or areas of concern.”
“This practice helped the leader establish priorities for building a cohesive organization,” said Swanson, a retired Lieutenant Colonel. “I ask Governor Pritzker to review the Auditor General’s reports, as many are revealing a lack of controls and best practices. I encourage him to use the reports as a tool to make reforms and achieve cost savings and efficiencies for Illinois’ overburdened taxpayers.”
House Bill 275 would create the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform Act, a privately funded group consisting of 18 voting members.
Three members would be appointed each from the House Speaker, House Minority Leader, Senate President, and Senate Minority leader, while the Governor would appoint six members.
