SPRINGFIELD – Following up on a proposal made in the Governor’s State of the State Address, today State Representative Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) and legislative colleagues spoke out in favor of newly-filed Procurement Reform legislation unveiled during a press conference at the Illinois State Fairgrounds 4H Building this morning.
After a year of carefully evaluating Illinois’ onerous procurement process, a comprehensive reform package developed collaboratively by the Administration, agency heads, legislative leaders and major stakeholders has emerged that has the potential to realize significant savings for Illinois taxpayers.
“Knowing the strains on our State universities and local government budgets with the state budget impasse, we must extend them the ability to reduce their costs as well through thoughtful procurement reform,” said Rep. Hammond, who represents Western Illinois University in Macomb. The legislative proposal would provide both the State as well as individual agencies increased flexibility and efficiencies in purchasing goods and services, increasing the opportunities for savings. Included in the package of legislation is the creation of a pool of pre-qualified vendors for supplies and services, as well as allowing State and local governments to enter into purchasing consortiums in hopes of leveraging buying power.
In addition, it would carve out procurement code exemptions for an array of instances including service contracts, trade shows and units of higher education. Also, included are provisions aimed at in-state investment through the “Buy Illinois” provision. “Our home state vendors have been through the wringer in Illinois and this provision is to say they deserve preference in our purchasing process,” said Hammond.
Hammond went on to say, “cost savings on procurement are savings that can be put to better use by providing frontline services and support to students and taxpayers- that’s a win-win for Illinois.” Hammond encouraged residents of the 93rd district to contact her with questions or concerns on this or any other state issue.
Hammond’s Macomb district office can be contacted at (309) 836-2707 and she can be reached via e-mail at rephammond@macomb.com. Constituents can also visit her legislative website at www.norinehammond.org to sign up for her electronic newsletter.
Hammond represents all or part of Brown, Cass, and Fulton, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Schuyler, and Warren counties.
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