SB2619 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2619

Introduced 2/26/2025, by Sen. Andrew S. Chesney

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Department of Government Efficiency Act. Provides that the Department of Government Efficiency is created to oversee, audit, and recommend improvements to all State agencies' operations, budgets, and practices. Sets forth the membership and powers and duties of the Department, including the power to conduct mandatory annual audits in all State agencies, review and recommend repealing programs or expenditures that prioritize ideology over taxpayer benefits, establish clear key performance indicators for every State agency, consolidate overlapping programs and services, and implement technological solutions to improve transparency and streamline operations. Requires all State agencies to submit initial efficiency plans to the Department of Government Efficiency within 12 months after the Department's establishment. Sets forth provisions concerning findings of the General Assembly, the mission of the Department, implementation of the Act, and reporting. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Department of Government Efficiency Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) Illinois has a long-standing reputation for government inefficiency, excessive spending, and wasteful bureaucracy.

(2) Illinois ranks among the most corrupt States in the nation, with repeated scandals involving public officials misusing taxpayer dollars for personal or political gain.

(3) Illinois taxpayers are burdened by the highest property taxes in the nation, yet face crumbling infrastructure, substandard services, and failing schools.

(4) The so-called "woke agenda" has infiltrated government institutions, diverting attention from real issues and forcing taxpayers to foot the bill for radical policies that undermine efficiency, fairness, and merit-based governance.

(5) The people of Illinois deserve a government that prioritizes taxpayers over bureaucrats, real results over ideological virtue signaling, and efficient, accountable service over political correctness.

(6) Modernizing government operations through technology and efficiency measures has proven effective in reducing costs and enhancing service delivery in both the private and public sectors.

(7) Restoring public trust in Illinois government requires bold action to root out waste, fraud, and abuse while demonstrating a commitment to serving the people effectively.

(8) Creating a Department of Government Efficiency will restore trust, eliminate waste, and refocus Illinois government on its core mission: serving the people.

Section 10. Establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency. The Department of Government Efficiency is created to oversee, audit, and recommend improvements to all State agencies' operations, budgets, and practices.

Section 15. Leadership. The Department of Government Efficiency shall consist of 6 voting members as follows:

(1) One member appointed by the Governor.

(2) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House.

(3) One member appointed by the President of the Senate.

(4) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House.

(5) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(6) One member appointed by the Illinois Legislative Freedom Caucus.

Elon Musk, or the Administrator of the United States DOGE Service Temporary Organization, shall serve as an honorary advisory member without voting rights, unless he or she resides in Illinois, and shall provide guidance to ensure Illinois adopts cutting-edge solutions, including technological innovations.

Section 20. Mission. The mission of the Department of Government Efficiency is to:

(1) ensure all State operations are focused solely on serving the needs of Illinois taxpayers and delivering measurable results;

(2) eliminate wasteful programs, streamline services, and hold government agencies accountable for their performance; and

(3) defeat the woke mind virus and root out ideological indoctrination and policies driven by radical, partisan agendas that prioritize political correctness over common sense, merit, and efficient governance.

Section 25. Powers and duties. The Department of Government Efficiency has the following powers and duties:

(1) Conduct mandatory annual audits to eliminate waste, inefficiencies, and radical policies in all State agencies.

(2) Review and recommend repealing programs or expenditures that prioritize ideology over taxpayer benefits.

(3) Establish clear Key Performance Indicators for every State agency to measure efficiency and effectiveness.

(4) Consolidate overlapping programs and services across State agencies.

(5) Implement technological solutions to improve transparency and streamline operations, including artificial intelligence and blockchain tools.

Section 30. Implementation Timeline.

(a) The Department of Government Efficiency shall be operational no later than 3 months after the effective date of this Act.

(b) All State agencies must submit initial efficiency plans to the Department of Government Efficiency within 12 months after the Department of Government Efficiency's establishment.

(c) A report on the progress of the Department of Government Efficiency shall be released by the Department of Government Efficiency 60 days after the completion of the first year of the Department of Government Efficiency's operations.

(d) The Department of Government Efficiency shall submit quarterly reports to the General Assembly summarizing achievements, challenges, and recommendations.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.