FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Jason Gerwig
630/407-6022
March 13, 2009

MEASURE ALLOWING REVERSE ONLINE AUCTIONS MOVES FORWARD IN ILLINOIS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WHEATON, IL – A measure that would allow counties to establish reverse online auctions for contracts and commodities cleared its first legislative hurdle in Springfield this week.  The initiative, sponsored by State Representative Michael Connelly (R-Lisle), was amended to include counties, which was one of the recommendations made in the report issued by the DuPage County Ad-Hoc Committee on Government Transparency and Accessibility.  

House Bill 379, as amended, would allow for commodities and contracts to be sent to an online reverse auction, driving down the cost of goods and services to DuPage County.  The anonymity of bidders serves to further preserve the integrity of the bidding process. 

“I am excited about working with State Representative Michael Connelly on this bold measure to improve the procurement process.  This system would provide greater transparency and value to the taxpayer,” said Jeff Redick, Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Transparency Committee.  “Simply put, when contractors are bidding against one another the price will go down.”

House Bill 379 now goes to the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives for further action.  To view the measure, please visit www.ilga.gov. 

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