Rauner consolidates Illinois IT systems into new agency

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Bruce Rauner is consolidating all Illinois agencies' information technology functions into one department in a move he says will save money and make operations more efficient.

The Republican governor on Monday signed an executive order to make the consolidation. He says that the state currently has a patchwork of systems with some running software as old as 1974. Rauner says the current structure makes the state vulnerable to cyberattacks.

He says the consolation of all systems into a new agency called the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology won't cost any money because it's only changing reporting relationships and management structure. Rauner did not have an estimate for how much money the consolidation will save.

The state spends $800 million a year on its IT systems.