Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford Announces Accomplishments During His First 100 Days in Office
Office of Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford|Tuesday, April 19, 2011
SPRINGFIELD – April 19, 2011 – Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford is announcing a comprehensive list of office improvements he has instituted for the benefit of taxpayers during his first 100 days in office. The accomplishments include areas of both cost savings and good government practices. “I promised the people of Illinois and the taxpayers when I was inaugurated, that I would search for ways to streamline and cut costs,” Rutherford said. “We have found ways to save thousands of dollars, and more importantly, instill trust that office holders can do the right thing.”
The accomplishments can be broken into two areas. Highlights include:
Efficiencies/Cost Savings
• Performance Audit – A wide-ranging performance audit was ordered to determine the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of programs.
• Closure of Satellite Offices – Satellite offices were ordered to be closed in less than 24 hours of becoming state treasurer and this was accomplished within 30 days of the inauguration. Locations were in Effingham, Collinsville, Mt. Vernon, Rockford, Rock Island and Riverdale resulting in almost $50,000 of annual savings.
• Vehicle Fleet Reduction – Motor vehicle usage, along with costs, were analyzed. Accordingly, the fleet was reduced by 50% down to 6 vehicles for an annual savings of almost $10,000.
• Mobile Phone Reduction – Cellular phone needs were analyzed which resulted in a 72 percent reduction in users and an estimated $14,000 savings in the first year.
• Office Phone Reduction – Land lines were reviewed for dormant lines and planned office relocations saving more than $6,000 annually.
• Redacted Letterhead – Redacted and reused tens of thousands of the former administration’s letterhead in an effort to reduce printing and paper costs saving the state more than $1,000.
• Human Resources Information System – Implemented a new time and attendance system providing for better employee accountability.
• Restructuring of Information Technology Division – The IT Division went through an extensive review and assessment process. Projects were reprioritized and resources were redirected to improve efficiencies.
• Office Space Adjustments – Offices have been moved or adjusted to centralize operations resulting in better utilization of space and increased productivity.
Good Government
• Moratorium on Linked Deposits – A performance audit and economic impact study of all linked deposit programs was ordered. Underutilized programs were eliminated and redundant programs were consolidated. The terms of continuing programs were adjusted to better reflect the current market and better serve program borrowers, including farmers, small businesses, civic organizations, activated members of the National Guard and Reserves, people with disabilities, victims of natural disasters, and others.
• Equal Employment Opportunity – Addressed imbalance in diversity of staff and achieved parity with the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
• Executive Order on Ethics and Political Contributions – Office employees, families, and financial institutions are prohibited from contributing to the treasurer as a result of Executive Order 11-01. In addition, employees are also prohibited from accepting lobbyist gifts and from lobbying for a time period of one year after leaving employment.
• Policies Regarding Mobile Phone Usage and Laptop Computers – Stronger policies implemented to outline the use of state-owned mobile phones and laptop computers. Language prohibiting political and personal use was outlined. In addition, agreements were signed by all employees regarding these policies.
• Merger of the Illinois Comptroller and Treasurer’s Offices – Worked with the Illinois General Assembly to consolidate the Treasurer’s Office and the Comptroller’s Office into one entity.
• Repeal of the Government Electronic Records Act – The treasurer proposed legislation to repeal this act in its entirety. It called for creation of a committee to analyze how state government could better rely on electronic records, and proposed changes. A similar committee also studies this issue. This was an initiative of the previous administration and was never acted upon.
• Online Publication of Bright Start and Illinois Funds Investment Policy – The treasurer proposed legislation to allow the office to publish both the investment policy and changes to the investment policy of the Bright Start/Bright Directions college 529 programs and the Illinois Funds program in the on-line version of at least one general circulation newspaper in both Springfield and Chicago as opposed to strictly the print versions.
• Paychecks Become Unclaimed Property After One Year – The treasurer proposed legislation to reduce from five years to one year the period for which paychecks go unclaimed before being turned over as unclaimed property to the Illinois Treasurer’s Office.
• Modification of Charitable Trust Stabilization Committee and Fund – The treasurer proposed legislation to give the treasurer’s office authority to implement both administering and managing of the Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund to begin the process of making grants to small, charitable entities.
