Answers wanted to ‘pathetic’ state procurement issues

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Lawmakers say Illinois-based businesses are getting work in other states but struggling to get business in their home state.

The state’s chief procurement officers appeared before the Illinois Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.

State Sen. Elgie Sims Jr, D-Chicago, said Illinois-based companies get work in Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida and Georgia.

“We are hearing it across the board, ‘I can get business elsewhere and I can’t get business from my own home state.’ That’s a problem,” Sims said.

Sims said he is not hearing an effective procurement plan from any of the CPOs to help Illinois businesses succeed.

State Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, said she would not be as gentle as Sims.

“I’m very frustrated. Actually, I’m just going to say it. I’m very furious. I see no fire under any of you all to try to address this situation,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva asked the CPOs to provide a timeline for solutions.

Capital Development Board CPO Kenneth Morris said he would present a timeline within a week, but the other three CPOs did not provide specific dates.

General services CPS Ellen Daley said she formed a working group to come up with recommendations.

State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, asked why Illinois can’t adopt the federal procurement code like other states.

“It flies in the face of efficiency. If it’s good enough for the federal government taxpayers, then it should be good enough for Illinois taxpayers,” Rose said.

In response, state Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, asked Daley to discuss her working group’s efforts.

“I believe it was a really good group. We came up with some good recommendations, which we unfortunately did not get to finish prior to the filing date that was required,” Daley said.

Ventura told Rose conversations would continue and she hoped to soon have a better answer soon.

Rose said he appreciated her efforts, but he would believe it when he sees it.

State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, said it’s “pathetic” that Illinois businesses encounter the same procurement issues every year.