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March 17, 2010

Anonymous The Commercial-News Wed Mar 17, 2010, 08:11 PM CDT

With Illinois facing an estimated $13 billion deficit, many might assume state officials take extra steps to spend every dollar of taxpayers’ money efficiently. They would — at least in one case —be wrong.

With the Vermilion County Health Department and local school districts making deep cuts in personnel and programs, state officials and departmental bureaucrats should be making sure every cent they spend carries the most possible value.

Charles Johnson is director of the Illinois Department on Aging. Apparently, he’s so involved in running his agency he had not heard about the $13 billion deficit.

The Department of Aging’s offices can be found in state-owned buildings in Springfield. Not all department employees are in the same office — hardly a problem in these days of e-mail, instant messaging and even telephones — one of the buildings needed repairs. So Johnson decided to remedy the situation.

Johnson found new, spacious accommodations in Springfield at a bargain rate of only $500,000 a year in rent.

So much for Johnson being aware of the state’s financial condition.

Gov. Pat Quinn already has stopped the move, and Johnson has become a target of some pointed remarks from lawmakers.

The situation illustrates a problem. State agency budgets grow by spending more money, not by being efficient. Quinn and the General Assembly could come up with a program that would reward state employees — even with extra days off — who identify unnecessary spending. Some will step up and expose waste. Others will try to protect themselves and others by pretending nothing is wrong.

Before any state agency spends money, its directors should justify the costs not only to the General Assembly but to the taxpayers. After all, their wallets provide the cash.

Correction

Pat O’Shaughnessy owns and operates Vermilion Title Co. His business was incorrect in Wednesday’s edition. The Commercial-News apologizes for the error.

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