Springfield, IL – With Governor Blagojevich still planning to move the Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety out of Springfield, State Representative Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) filed legislation this week that would prevent the closure of a state facility without the approval of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA). Under the current State Facilities Closure Act, opinions rendered by members of COGFA are strictly advisory in nature.

“The State Facilities Closure Act, in its current format, does a good job of allowing for public dialogue on proposed state facility closures,” said Poe. “However, our current administration has chosen to completely disregard the findings and opinions of the Commission, as well as the wishes of the public. This legislation aims to put some teeth into the decisions rendered by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability to ensure a fairer, non-partisan approach to state facility closures.”

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability has held hearings twice in 2008. In each circumstance, COGFA voted unanimously against the proposed closures. The Blagojevich Administration has chosen to ignore the Commission’s advisory opinion in both cases.

Poe’s legislation, House Bill 4, would provide that a recommendation for closure of a State facility may not be implemented unless at least 8 out of 12 members of COGFA approve the recommendation.

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