WurfWhile

To summarize, an audit of centralized purchasing in Illinois under Central Management Services (CMS), which consolidated the purchasing of numerous state agencies in Illinois, meant less following of the law for less savings than advertised (actually 35 of 39 agencies seem to have lost money - not saved it) - and opportunities (likely realized) for political payback of favored contractors. Rich Miller at Capitol Fax asks in his question of the day, will this have any “real” political impact in the state? I don’t have an answer, although certainly GOP Gubernatorial hopeful Joe Birkett is (justifiably) trying to make it an issue - and especially after former Republican Governor George Ryan, it is an issue. Governor Rod Blagojevich needs to do something better than have CMS contest and fight with the auditor - this isn’t about dotting an “i” and crossing a “t” - it’s pretty damning. I know spin and bluster got President George W. Bush a second term - but as a member of the reality-based community, I expect better. Rod, it’s time to step up, address the issue and fix it as fast as you can. Do it because it’s the right thing to do morally. It might even be good politics.