August 16, 2005

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois House of Representatives 

94th General Assembly

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(b) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby veto

House Bill 2528, entitled “AN ACT concerning finances.”   Currently, no State facility can take action towards closure without notifying the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.  In addition, the Commission enjoys the freedom and discretion to require recommendations and public hearings before a State facility closes. House Bill 2528 removes this discretion and requires the State to submit to certain procedures before closing many of the facilities operated by the Department of Corrections, Department of Human Services and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.  As a result, an agency will incur additional administrative costs and many closures that the Commission is not interested in reviewing will be significantly delayed.  The delay in action will only serve to diminish the costs savings in year one.  Since the Commission already enjoys the authority to oversee our facility closures; additional mandates only serve to increase spending and frustrate government efficiency.  

            For this reason, I hereby veto and return House Bill 2528.

Sincerely,

ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH

Governor