Costello Appointed to State Government Suggestion Award Board

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[State Rep. Jerry Costello II (D-Smithton) has been appointed to a state board charged with investigating public suggestions on cost-saving measures, and urges local taxpayers to submit their ideas about ways to cut state spending.

"This board is a little-known tool for taxpayers and elected officials to identify ways to cut costs," Costello said. "Every money-saving idea ought to be fully explored and I look forward to hearing new and creative suggestions that will keep more money in taxpayers' pockets."

Costello was appointed to the State Government Suggestion Award Board on March 5, 2012 to review Illinois residents' ideas on eliminating wasteful spending in state government. Costello and a panel of legislators will work with the agency that would be impacted to see if the idea can be implemented and evaluate its merits. For ideas that result in actual money saved, the individual who made the suggestion would be awarded between $50 and $5000 dollars depending on the amount the state saves.

"In our current economy, we must remember that every dollar helps, especially when we are talking about the dollars contributed by the hard-working men and women of Illinois," Costello said. "The taxpayers have first-hand experience with state government and may have cost-cutting ideas that lawmakers have overlooked. I encourage Illinoisans to come forward with these suggestions so we can work together to save the state money."

To stay informed on this or other legislation, please contact Costello's constituent service office at 618-443-5757, email him at staterepcostello@gmail.com, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/staterepcostello.