SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) used time on the House floor Wednesday to highlight serious concerns with the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion, questioning whether the agency is fulfilling its mission and delivering results for taxpayers. Citing recent reporting from The Center Square, Halbrook raised concerns about the commission’s long-term effectiveness and growing costs.
Rep. Halbrook said the commission was created to increase access to state contracts, expand opportunity for entrepreneurs and Illinois businesses, and bring more vendors into the state procurement process. Instead, he argued, the agency has become another example of the government failing to achieve its purpose.
Rep. Halbrook raised the following concerns during his floor remarks: “Seven commissioners, appointed and paid well into six figures. Staff salaries averaging around or above $100,000. A budget that continues to grow. So let’s put this plainly: Illinois taxpayers are funding a system that is making it harder — not easier — for people to do business with their own government.”
Halbrook said the commission’s continued lack of results should prompt accountability and a serious review of its performance, rather than excuses for continued growth in spending and bureaucracy.
He continued: “The people of Illinois deserve results, not more bureaucracy. If fewer vendors are participating, access is getting harder, and outcomes are moving in the wrong direction, then we need accountability — because taxpayers should not be funding a commission that is failing to do what it was created to do.”
Watch Rep. Halbrook’s full comments here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Poaav_S5SA
For more information, please contact Rep Halbrook’s office at 217-342-0220 or visit his website RepHalbrook.com.
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State Representative Brad Halbrook, is currently in his 7th term as State Representative in the Illinois General Assembly. Rep. Halbrook’s 107th district includes several communities in the following Central Illinois counties: Macon, Shelby, Christian, Effingham, Montgomery, Cumberland, and Moultrie. Rep. Halbrook dedicates his term in office to pursuing conservative public policy, holding government accountable, and fighting high state and local taxes.