Sangamon Sun

Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez (R-Leland Grove) introduced a bill that would require the director of Central Management Services (CMS) to research and identify the best location for state jobs, and if no demographic necessity exists for placement, the location of the job would default to Sangamon County.

Before the House voted on her bill, HB4295, she presented a little bit of history during House floor debate April 18.

“179 years ago, when Abraham Lincoln was a member of this chamber, he joined eight other legislators called The Long Nine and successfully moved the state Capitol to Springfield,” Jimenez said.

Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez (R-Leland Grove)

Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) wanted to confirm that the bill would apply only to future jobs.

“Our intention is not uprooting anyone who is currently in a job and would only apply to jobs that become vacant,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez said several jobs located throughout the state are there for a reason and her bill would not disrupt that, but if there is not a demographic necessity, like Lincoln, she would like to bring jobs to the Capitol.

Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) wanted clarification that current positions would not be affected. Told yes, Batinick said it seemed like common sense legislation and encouraged support of Jimenez’s bill.  

But Rep. William Davis (D-Homewood) did not feel the same, beginning a lengthy debate over the process of demographic determination. 

“Do they just get together over beer and say ‘hey let’s move this position over here?' What is the process,” Davis asked.

Clarifying that all positions noted in her bill are non-union, Jimenez said CMS directors would apply the authority they already have to determine job placement. She said her bill simply acknowledges that   Sangamon County is the home county of state government, and state jobs should be there if not needed somewhere else in the state.

“I am just concerned this is an effort to centralize those positions you speak of in Sangamon County without regard to the remainder of the state,” Willis said, then asking if the reverse notion would apply and a job location would move out of Sangamon County if needed.

Jimenez said her bill does not affect the best location of statewide jobs, it simply moves jobs to Springfield if it is found by CMS they need not be there otherwise.

HB4295 passed 82-16 and moved to the Senate.