Affordable housing workshops set

[MARCH 10, 2003]  URBANA -- Three “Affordable Housing Development” workshops will be offered in Illinois during March and April. The workshops will be in Carterville, Mattoon and Bourbonnais and are sponsored by the Illinois Rural Housing Task Force, which includes University of Illinois Extension.

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[University of Illinois news release]

Senate committee recommends extensive
oversight of privatization contracts

[MARCH 10, 2003]  SPRINGFIELD -- Under legislation approved March 5 by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, state agencies will be able to privatize services only if the contractor meets new accountability standards.

Sen. Larry Bomke, a sponsor of the legislation, says Senate Bill 73 will ensure that any future privatization of state services is contracted due to sound business decisions.

"Everyone recognizes the need to cut spending and save tax dollars where we can, but privatization is not always the best solution," said Bomke, R-Springfield. "If you trade cost-effectiveness for quality or spend more paying unemployment benefits to displaced workers than you save by contracting, is privatization really worth it? Senate Bill 73 makes sure the any future privatization with state government look at all sides of the issue, including the impact on local communities."

Known as the Public Service Accountability Act, Senate Bill 73 is a response to the unpopular privatization of prison commissary services forced by Gov. George Ryan last year. Bomke and other lawmakers offered alternative solutions that would have still saved tax dollars without privatization, but Ryan proceeded with his plans despite the cost-saving alternatives.

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Senate Bill 73 would set procedural, record-keeping and reporting requirements for both the private contractors and state agencies pursuing the privatization of services valued at $100,000 or more.

Among the requirements in the legislation is a full reporting of any political contribution made by management employees of the contracting firm and proof that privatization would save the state at least 10 percent.

The bill also requires a community impact report if privatization would displace 50 employees or 50 percent of the facility’s work force. If privatization does proceed, the private contractor would have to hire displaced state employees if the employer has positions available.

Senate Bill 73 now advances to the full Senate for further consideration. The measure is supported by SEIU, AFSCME and the AFL-CIO.

[News release]

Blagojevich makes two key appointments

First Latina to head Metropolitan Pier Authority

Experienced downstate legislator takes over
Department of Natural Resources

[MARCH 10, 2003]  CHICAGO -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced on March 6 the appointment of state Rep. Joel Brunsvold as director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Leticia Peralta-Davis as chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.

“Both individuals are well-qualified and bring with them impressive records of success in their respective fields,” Blagojevich said.

Brunsvold, 61, a Democratic legislator from the Quad Cities and former chair of the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee, is recognized as an authority on conservation and land use issues. He also served on the House Environment and Energy Committee. Throughout his tenure as a legislator, Brunsvold has worked closely with the department that he is poised to lead, often sponsoring its agenda in the General Assembly. He is currently a member of House Speaker Michael Madigan's leadership team and serves as chairman of the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus.

Brunsvold grew up in the Quad Cities area and attended Augustana College in Rock Island. He worked for International Harvester from 1964 to 1969 and taught school for Sherrard Community Unit 200 until 1983. Brunsvold and his wife settled in Milan, where he was elected mayor in 1977. In 1983, he was elected state representative and has been re-elected ever since.

“I developed great respect for Joel when I worked with him as a member of the Illinois House. He understands the complexity of issues the Department of Natural Resources deals with and has significant experience as a lawmaker at balancing the demands of conservation and development,” commented the governor.

Brunsvold will be paid $113,200.

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Peralta-Davis, 44, succeeds Scott Fawell at the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority and will be one of the administration's highest-ranking Latinas. Her salary will be set by the authority. Fawell, who was fired by Blagojevich on his first day in office, was paid $195,000.

Peralta-Davis is founder and president of the financial advisory firm Davis Financial, which specializes in debt financing, and chairs the Finance Committee for the Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Housing Authority. Before starting her firm, she was a vice president at Bank of America from 1991 to 1993, and vice president at ABN/LaSalle Bank from 1988 to 1990.

She is a Chicago native, earned her bachelor's degree in accounting and her master's in business administration from DePaul University, and received her certified public accounting certification in 1983. In 1999, she was selected as the regional Hispanic Businesswoman of the Year by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She serves on the boards of the Metropolitan Planning Council, Children's Memorial Hospital and St. Benedict's High School Advisory Board.

“Ms. Davis is well respected for her accomplishments as a businesswoman and community servant. She will help drive my agenda for reform by providing straightforward, fiscally-responsible leadership,” the governor said.

[Illinois Government News Network
press release]

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