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SoS will use new money for rent, utilities and cyber security

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Illinois

* From a Tribune story earlier this week about the mainly non-GRF appropriations bill that passed the House…

The bulk of the $3.1 billion in new spending is money set aside in accounts earmarked for specialized purposes, though lawmakers also signed off on $28 million in spending from the state’s main checking account. About $18 million of that will go to domestic violence shelters and another $10 million was set aside for the Secretary of State’s office, which stopped mailing yearly reminders for drivers to renew their vehicle registration because of the budget crunch.

* I asked the secretary of state’s office where the money was going. Response…

We are currently reviewing all outstanding bills.

Our top priorities remain ensuring that Driver Services facilities remain open – this includes catching up on unpaid rent and utilities – and our firewall remains secure in order to protect the database of the public’s critical information that we maintain.

We will continue to be prudent in how we manage our resources during the budget impasse.

The office was really worried about its ability to pay cyber security contractors.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 11:35 am

Comments

I can’t see how making state agencies and constitutional offices scrimp to find “security money” is good for bringing compromise on the Turnaround Agenda.

Should SoS be… thankful?

Funding state government is based on… what fire is burning now?

I can’t think of an Illinois governor so willing to deny needed funds so callously.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 11:44 am
Understand most contracts have right to terminate clauses by either party. If some security companies haven’t been paid in a while, that option may be the prudent one for them.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 11:49 am
“We cannot pay for IT security measures to protect sensitive business documents from cyber-criminals until Mike Madigan and the legislators he controls enact term limits that will have an effect in 2027 and thus improve the business climate today” or something like that.

Comment by Juice Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 11:50 am
No legislator wants to see the facility in their district closed. Guess which facility would get closed 1st if any of them vote no to fund SOS operations. That’s fair.
The SOS databases are a repository of sensitive information about individuals and businesses throughout the state. You have to make every effort to avoid/prevent any breach.
Smart use of the allocation, IMO.

Comment by Casual observer Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:04 pm
“Funding state government is based on… what fire is burning now?”

To clarify;

The Bills and releasing of funds and/or monies by the Administration’s legislative life rafts are the reactionary movements I’m referencing.

The fact that SoS is acting so prudently with the funds now at their disposal reflects very well on how they are trying to keep going in these times. Good on SoS

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:11 pm
I can’t believe Ken Dunkin didn’t vote for this bill.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:13 pm
Does anyone know what the bill number was?

Comment by burbanite Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:18 pm
SB 2039

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:28 pm
The same issues are occurring at state agencies who are reliant on GRF. Who knows what the final impact will be, but I don’t think it’ll be good. Plus, patching together state operations with bailing wire and duct tape is no way to run an organization.

Comment by AC Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:29 pm
360, subscribe.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:31 pm
Thank you!

Comment by burbanite Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:39 pm
Rich, I am subscriber. I heard Dunkin’s speech that day. Roll call still says “NV”.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:43 pm
Once again, a piecemeal approach to funding needed and necessary state functions based on the premise of ” what fire is burning now? ” ( thanks OW ).

We always knew the the SoS office was well run and that Jesse W. took his responsibility seriously - just wish BVR would do the same!

Comment by illini Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:44 pm
With respect Willy, there are lots of fires burning now. This “solution” is like sending one truck to a multiple alarm fire.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 1:15 pm
- illini -, use at your own discretion.

- Demoralized -, Oh, I never said this was a wise or eben thoughtful way to go aboiut this. This would be no way to run a “Fire Department”.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 1:19 pm
===Roll call still says “NV”.===

They don’t change roll calls. The add a line to the official journal.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 1:19 pm
With respect, I would imagine the walk pieces in Dunkin’s district won’t include anything from the official journal.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 2:31 pm