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Springfield, IL – State universities in Illinois are being relieved from provisions of a strict purchasing law that had caused problems for them. A new law signed by the governor cuts the universities some slack.
After corruption scandals rocked Illinois government, legislators passed a law intended to make "pay to play" nearly impossible. It requires more transparency and detail for state contracts and bids.
But universities say it went too far.
University of Illinois President Michael Hogan said problems experienced by a researcher at the Urbana-Champaign campus are emblematic. The professor tried to buy lab equipment needed to carry out work for which he'd won a federal grant, but kept running into trouble trying to comply with state law.
"That researcher was actually in danger of losing his grant because he couldn't get the funds expended in time, or he was actually in danger of having to pay more to get a broken piece of equipment fixed than it would have cost to buy the new equipment," Hogan said.
Dana Biernbaum, Assistant Vice President of Administrative Services and Interim Director of Purchasing at Western Illinois University, said:
"Senate Bill 1750, now Public Act 097-0643, codifies the recognition that public institutions of higher education have a number of unique procurements that should not be subject to the State of Illinois Procurement Code.
"For example, expenditures related to events or activities that are underwritten by a private donor, grants, and gifts to the University are now exempt. Other provisions in the bill offer relief for larger schools that have medical or veterinary schools and have less effect for Western Illinois University.
"But we appreciate even the slightest measures that provide relief to the tremendously burdensome affects of recent procurement legislation and anticipated administrative rules."
Booking performers was another difficulty. State law favors the lowest bidder, but the more popular acts are more expensive.
Thanks in part to Illinois Public Radio