CHICAGO-The CMS-led efficiency efforts that saved Illinois more than $529 million have been placed "front and center" by the National Governor's Association. 

The NGA's Center for Best Practices honored the efficiency initiatives center-led by CMS with an analysis in their weekly national newsletter and posted in the Front and Center section of the group’s website, www.nga.org.

“Illinois Consolidations Save Half a Billion Dollars” is the apt title of the analysis by Special Projects Analyst Madeleine Bayard. 

CMS’ efforts “to streamline the state's operations and share resources have saved more than $529 million over the past two years,” the analysis states. “Deloitte conducted an independent review of more than 100 individual projects implemented under Governor Rod Blagojevich's 2003 mandate to improve government operations, increase transparency, and accountability and reduce overall costs. Efficiencies were found by leveraging purchasing power and consolidating shared services.” 

The analysis also notes that the Council of State Governments presented CMS with a 2005 Innovations Award for successfully consolidating common administrative duties previously managed by many State agencies.

This recognition is regarded as an honor, since the NGA Center for Best Practices – the nation's only dedicated consulting firm for governors and their key policy staff – makes it their mission to recognize, develop and implement innovative solutions to states’ ongoing public policy challenges.

For the full article, please visit http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.9123e83a1f6786440ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=48224db01330a010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD