PEORIA, IL – In an effort to reduce wasteful spending, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) is pushing for legislation that would sell costly and unnecessary state vehicles and planes.

“Families across Illinois are trimming their budgets and delaying purchases, and the state should be doing the same,” said Gordon-Booth. “We should be working to cut generous perks to state officials. We must continue working to do everything possible to save taxpayers’ money.”

Gordon-Booth is co-sponsoring House Bill 3260, which requires the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) to sell vehicles that have been driven 7,000 miles or less in Fiscal Year 2010. The legislation would also require that CMS sell any vehicles that have been driven less than 7,000 miles at the time the bill is signed into law. This measure comes from recommendations made by the Office of the Auditor General.

Additionally, Rep. Gordon-Booth is co-sponsoring legislation that would designate state airplanes and helicopters that are not used for emergencies or for instructional courses at state universities to be classified as surplus property. State airplanes and helicopters would then be sold through a competitive sealed bid, in the same way all other surplus property is sold.

“The proceeds from the sale of cars, planes, and helicopters would go directly into the general revenue fund and help the state’s bottom line,” said Gordon-Booth. “Taxpayers will benefit from increased funding for education, human services and law enforcement. I committed to cutting government spending that doesn’t directly help communities throughout Illinois.”

For more information about this or other upcoming legislation, please contact Rep. Gordon-Booth’s constituent service office at (309) 681-1992 or repjgordon@gmail.com.