Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HJR0002

HJ0002 LRB104 03191 MST 13212 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is the obligation of the Illinois General Assembly and the various executive agencies of State government to provide such public services as are necessary to ensure that every person in Illinois can maximize his or her own potential and to provide such services as are required to ensure that the most unfortunate among us can live in dignity and safety; and

WHEREAS, It is also the obligation of the Illinois General Assembly and the various executive agencies of State government to not unduly burden the taxpayers of the State by extracting any greater amount of tax revenue than is necessary to achieve those ends; and

WHEREAS, The budgeting process in Illinois all too often fails to examine the inefficiencies brought about by the existence of redundant and outdated programs; and

WHEREAS, State agencies may not be in compliance with adequate cost-control measures to provide efficient use of State appropriations, or such measures may be outdated or non-existent; and

WHEREAS, The failure to examine measures to control costs leads to ever-increasing demands for revenue; and

WHEREAS, The taxpayers of Illinois are faced with high taxation that is hampering the development of business in the State and creating an exodus of productive, taxpaying citizens to other States, thus making it necessary to investigate ways by which Illinois government can reduce costs and yet fulfill its obligations in an efficient and cost-effective manner; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the creation via legislation of the Illinois Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, whose purpose shall be to examine the extent to which current practices of the executive agencies either conform to or fall short of established laws, regulations, and best practices, and to determine the fiscal impact which the State realizes as a result of falling short of compliance with such practices; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission should conduct a private sector survey on cost control in State government and advise the Governor, the General Assembly, and the executive agency heads with respect to improving management practices and reducing costs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the heads of executive agencies should, to the extent permitted by law, and in a timely manner, be required to provide to the Commission and its staff units such information, including that relating to the structure, organization, personnel and operations of the executive agencies, as may be required for carrying out the purposes of the Commission's duties; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission's recommendations should focus on the following areas: (1) Discretionary State spending, (2) Specific areas in which State agencies could be required to reduce expenditures, and (3) State budget and accounting practices leading to the establishment and enforcement of guidelines and procedures by which executive agencies must demand and confirm accountability from such stakeholders who may seek or be granted appropriations of State funds; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, as a body with responsibilities that cross over the chronological boundaries of this Illinois General Assembly, should be created by legislation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Speaker of the House, the House Minority Leader, the President of the Senate, and the Senate Minority Leader.