A news conference on changing how the State of Illinois buys goods and services was only part of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s message to the press this morning.
“Procurement has been one of the largest sources of waste and abuse,” Rauner said. “I want reform.”
The other half of his message reflected his plan to step into Chicago Public Schools, attempting to take over the largest school district in Illinois.
Throughout Rauner’s first year as governor, he has stuck to his guns on making changes in Illinois state government. During his news conference this morning at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, he continued to push for procurement reform and structural reforms.
“I’m outraged,” the governor said. “I want education to be a number one priority, but we need the money to do so.”
One of the components of the bill requires the auditor general to conduct audits on the procurement every two years in attempt to ensure that the law is being enforced. Rauner said there would be a half-billion dollars in savings if the bill passes the legislature.
“This could be a significant lifeline for community colleges and universities,” Rauner said. “If we do this reform, we will have money for community colleges, MAP Grants and human services.”
Rauner said that in 41 other states, there is only one chief procurement officer, but Illinois has four.
“The problem is that when everybody’s in charge, nobody’s in charge,” he said.
“I’m not focused on a tax hike,” Rauner added. “I want reforms.”
Illinois’ financial issues don’t end at the state government level. According to the Chicago Public School district’s site, the CPS board of education entered Fiscal Year 2016 with a structural deficit of $1.1 million, but Rauner has a plan. After the Chicago Teachers Union rejected a contract presented by Chicago mayor Rahm Emmanuel on Feb. 1, Rauner called for the state to take over CPS.
“I hope that was a wakeup call for the mayor and taxpayers in Chicago and around the state,” Rauner said. “Let’s have Chicago treated the same way the rest of the state is treated. The state can get a deal done with CTU.”
A later comment from the office of the Senate President provided John Cullerton’s response to Rauner’s potential plan for taking over CPS.
“I thought we’d already addressed this. The law doesn’t allow him to do that. So its not going to happen” said Cullerton.
Contact Brittany Hilderbrand at intern@illinoistimes.com.
Updated to reflect senate president John Cullerton’s response.
This article appears in Jan 28 – Feb 3, 2016.
