Manley Appointed Chair of Cost Benefit Analysis Committee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Continuing her efforts to be responsible to taxpayers and bring common-sense budgeting solutions to Illinois, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, was recently named the chair of the new Cost Benefit Analysis Committee.

“Since coming to Springfield, I have served on different appropriations committees to learn more about the budgeting process,” Manley said. “During these budget meetings, legislators discuss what programs should be funded and at what levels, but I also think it is important to have public committee hearings to help Illinois residents learn more about why certain decisions are being made and how legislators are working to protect taxpayer dollars. I look forward to exploring how to best use tax payer dollars to get the best results for what is spent.”

Manley is the only practicing certified public accountant in the General Assembly, and her credentials allow her to bring a unique skillset to the budgeting process. She will use this expertise as her committee explores ways for the state to save money, while also protecting the vital services it provides. For instance, the committee will explore how spending money now on mental health programs saves money later in the criminal justice system and how home health care significantly reduces how much money is spent on nursing home care.

Manley will also serve on the House Appropriations Committee for Human Services and the House Committees on Business and Occupational Licenses, Elections and Campaign Finance, Financial Institutions, Health Care Licenses, Mental Health and Transportation: Regulation, Roads and Bridges.

“We often get caught up at looking at projections for state spending, but rarely look at the actual results and the impact,” Manley said. “If we want to be responsible to our residents, we need to consistently review what works and what needs to be changed.”

For more information, please contact Manley’s constituent service office at 815-725-2741 or RepManley@gmail.com.