EXECUTIVE ORDER 2019-1
EXECUTIVE ORDER STRENGTHENING THE STATE'S COMMITMENT TO
EFFECTIVE AND TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT IN
COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAWS
WHEREAS, the agencies of the State of Illinois provide services and oversee programs that are critical to the health, safety and welfare of the people of this State; and
WHEREAS,, the people of Illinois are entitled to demand that the State agencies operate efficiently, effectively and in full compliance with the laws; and
WHEREAS, the people of Illinois deserve the opportunity to review data regarding the performance of the agencies and to assess how the agencies are fulfilling their mission to serve the public; and
WHEREAS, in many instances over the last four years, agencies have failed to publish data that would allow the people of this State to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of government services, depriving Illinois taxpayers of the ability to hold their government accountable;
WHEREAS, Illinois government must uncover and address the failures of the previous administration head-on, get back to the basics of effective governing and create a plan to move our state forward into a new day; and
WHEREAS, the people of Illinois deserve to be served by agencies who hold themselves to the highest degree of transparency accountability standards; and
THEREFORE, I, JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois, by virtue of the executive authority vested in me by Article V of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, hereby order as follows:
I. Definitions
As used in this Executive Order, "State Agency'' means any office, department, agency, board, commission or authority of the Executive Branch of the State of Illinois under the jurisdiction of the Governor.
II. Review of Compliance with Statutory Mandates
Every State Agency shall, within 60 days of the effective date of this Executive Order, conduct a review of (a) all statutory obligations, and (b) all audit findings within the last four years and provide a plan to the Office of the Governor detailing steps to ensure statutory compliance and to address audit findings.
III. Review of and Compliance with Transparency and Data Publication Laws
Every State Agency, shall, within 30 days of the effective date of this Executive Order, conduct a comprehensive review of laws and regulations requiring the publication of data and take action to ensure compliance with these laws and regulations.
IV. Review of Publication Practices to Increase Transparency
Every State Agency shall, within 60 days of the effective date of this Executive Order, conduct a comprehensive review of its practices regarding the publication of data, including an analysis of past practices involving greater data disclosure, and provide a report to the Office of the Governor detailing plans to increase transparency by making more data accessible to the public.
V. Savings Clause
Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to contravene any federal or State law or regulation. Nothing in this Executive Order shall affect or alter the existing statutory powers of any State agency or be construed as a reassignment or reorganization of any State agency.
VI. Prior Executive Orders
This Executive Order supersedes any contrary provision of any other prior Executive Order.
VII. Severability Clause
If any part of this Executive Order is found to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The provisions of this Executive Order are severable.
VIII. Effective Date
This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State.
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JB Pritzker, Governor
Issued by Governor: January 15, 2019
Filed with Secretary of State: January 15, 2019