Politics & Government
State Treasurer Trims Budget, Encourages Other Leaders to Follow Suit
State Treasurer Dan Rutherford touted his $168,400 in cuts during an appearance in Yorkville on Monday.
Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford is not buying any more paperclips, pencils or rubber bands.
He also nixed paper desk calendars in favor of staff members using electronic calendars on their computers. And he trimmed the number of taxpayer-funded vehicles in his office’s fleet and the number of cellular phones and landlines.
Overall, his efforts reduced his office’s $8.16 million General Revenue Fund appropriations by 2 percent (or $168,400), according to the proposed House Bill 3848. The bill deals with multiple revenue funds and reduces Rutherford’s total appropriation for that section from $16.7 million to $16.5 million.
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Rutherford is encouraging other state leaders to make similar cuts in light of the state budget woes.
“If all of government would try to do at least the stuff we’re talking about that you do in your household and in your business, I think we’d be a whole different state,” Rutherford said Monday during a press availability at the historic courthouse in Yorkville.
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His cuts are written into House Bill 3848, which unanimously passed the House on Oct. 26 and could pass the Senate this week. Rutherford said he has the authority to make the cuts himself, but the legislation allows state leaders to direct the unused funds toward other expenses.
State Rep. Kay Hatcher and State Senator Sue Rezin appeared with Rutherford on Monday. Hatcher, who sits on the House’s appropriations committee, said Rutherford’s legislation inspired several smiles among her colleagues.
“We are all understanding that every little bit does make a difference,” Hatcher said. “The money is important; the philosophy is invaluable.”
Meanwhile, Rezin said Rutherford's approach illustrates that government can cut budgets without cutting the quality of state services.
“As we’re talking about reforming and reducing, people often ask ‘How are you going to do it? Who is it going to hurt?” Rezin said. “The treasurer’s office is leading by example, by showing if you just tighten your belt a little bit, we can save 10 percent and no one would know.”
Side note: One of the treasurer's responsibilities is overseeing unclaimed property. You can search the database online here.
