Illinois lawmakers want to monitor vehicle use

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Senate wants a tighter rein on the use of state-owned vehicles.

Senators voted 47-7 Tuesday to require agencies under the governor to determine whether buying cars for employee use is worth the money.

A state audit last fall found that many vehicles in the $129 million state fleet aren’t driven the 7,000 miles annually considered the minimum to justify their purchase. It said commuting eats up 30 percent of the mileage on 5,100 personally assigned vehicles.

Lake Forest Democratic Sen. Susan Garrett’s measure would also create a website for taxpayers to monitor vehicle-use costs and mileage.

GOP Sen. Dale Righter of Mattoon says the rules should apply to lawmakers and judges too.

The measure returns to the House for action.