By Cole Lauterbach/Illinois Radio Network
ALTON – An effort to save Illinois taxpayers money and reduce the size of government looks to have buckled under public pressure.
State Sen. Bill Haine, D-Alton, has been working with Department of Public Health Director Dr. Nirav Shah to abolish the board. The department told Illinois Radio Network the board delays the department’s rule-making process by three or more months and costs taxpayers thousands of dollars in per diems and administrative costs every time they meet.
In March, Haine said the board isn’t needed.
“While it is made up of many good people, frankly it’s become unnecessary in the function of reviewing and approving rules,” Haine said.
But recently, Haine amended the bill to keep the board intact but no longer approve department rules. The amendment would also remove the members’ per diem, but still reimburse their expenses.
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There were 43 witness slips in opposition to the bill when it was in committee. Only Shah was listed in favor of it. One of those in opposition is Dr. Javette Orgain, the previous board chair.
“We believe that the rulemaking should still come to the board,” she said, “It’s an important function. nWe represent the public in regard to the state rule-making process.”
Senator Haine has not responded to repeated requests for comment and the department refused to comment on the amendment.
The amended Senate Bill 2416 is due back in committee Tuesday afternoon.
