Illinois Department of Central Management Services and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Receive Award for E-Initiatives

CHICAGO -- In recognition for its efforts to save resources to benefit taxpayers across the state, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) received a CIO Partnership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The award recognizes both departments' longstanding achievements in information security, and recent leadership on projects using e-authentication technology between the state and national governments.

"Every day, Gov. Blagojevich tasks CMS with improving the operations of state government by gaining efficiencies and reducing costs-we're succeeding and I'm pleased that the U.S. EPA recognizes these great strides we're making to better coordinate between the state and federal governments to save taxpayer resources," CMS Acting Director Paul Campbell said. "This award is great recognition of Gov. Blagojevich's commitment to making state government more efficient."

CMS' award was based on 2004 efforts where department worked closely with the IEPA, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the General Services Administration on e-authentication technology between the agencies. The award highlights the effectiveness of advanced technology to validate digital identities and save state and federal resources. The agencies now seamlessly exchange secure information electronically.

"This is a great example of the benefits to state agencies that have resulted from Gov. Blagojevich's consolidation of services at CMS," said IEPA Director Doug Scott. "Consistent with the Governor's emphasis on streamlining government to make it more accessible, Illinois EPA continues to work with CMS to implement Internet and electronic initiatives such as online permit applications and reporting to make it easier for business, local government and citizens to comply with environmental laws and regulations."

In mid-April, CMS was also the recipient of the E-Gov Institute's 2005 Knowledge Management (KM) Award for the state's innovative knowledge management practices. As part of its reorganization to become a more effective service agency to state government, CMS created the Bureau of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement (BOSSAP), which is revolutionizing the way goods and services are purchased by the state. To support these efforts, BOSSAP created the Knowledge Management Division to assist with research, professional development, administration of procurement systems, contract compliance and procurement call center.

The Knowledge Management system has helped save over $100 million, out of an estimated FY04 procurement spend of about $7 billion, in its first full year of operation alone. Cost savings were achieved by leveraging existing state technology - Lotus Notes - instead of new technology that could have cost millions of dollars.

About Central Management Services
In 2003, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich tasked the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) with streamlining the state's operations and conserving resources to save money for taxpayers as it manages the business services of state government. By combining its public sector mission with private sector discipline, CMS leads the cost effective administration of real estate, purchasing, information technology and telecommunications, personnel and benefits for all state employees and retirees, internal audit and outside legal services for the state's executive agencies, and directs the state's employee and vendor diversity programs. The department continues to achieve savings as it implements new technologies, reduces waste, and rethinks many of the administrative operations of the state.