Governor Ryan Signs Legislation to Further Streamline State Government

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today signed into law legislation continuing his commitment to streamline government by eliminating unnecessary governmental entities. House Bill 1640 continues in the path of Senate Bill 1860, signed into law in 2000, which abolished 28 boards and commissions.

"We will be streamlining government through the elimination of boards and commissions that have outlived their usefulness," Governor Ryan said.

The elimination of such unnecessary boards, councils, committees and commissions was first proposed by the Governor in a campaign paper entitled "Transforming Illinois Government." This effort has been spearheaded by the governor's Office of Statewide Performance Review, which worked in conjunction with the State Government Accountability Council to target such groups for elimination. Executive Order No. 3, signed April 1, 2002, eliminated 30 advisory bodies. With the enactment of HB 1640, 67 entities will have been abolished through Governor Ryan's efforts.

The eight advisory bodies eliminated are:

• Biotechnology Advisory Council

• Budget Advisory Panel

• Economic Emergency Council

• Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Advisory Committee

• Lake County Metropolitan Exposition and Authority Board

• Military Base Reuse Advisory Board

• National Heritage Fund Advisory Committee

• State Park Revenue Bond Commission

Sponsoring HB 1640 were Senator Tom Walsh (R- La Grange Park) and Representative Dan Rutherford (R- Pontiac).