Flying for Free on Your Dime

The State of Illinois owns 16 aircraft, including three helicopters. Their primary purpose? Ferrying your (mostly Chicago-based - including the former governor pictured above) elected officials back and forth to Springfield. The attached article also mentions that various state departments occasionally use them for a one-day jaunt to multiple state facilities, but as a Department of Corrections official stated, "Staff would make and typically do make these visits by car or van."

Read more: http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/gop-lawmakers-want-state-s-air-fleet-grounded/article_5ccbe1d6-5677-11e1-9c7b-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz1mIP2VPC9

Multiple lawmakers have proposed eliminating Illinois' airborne operations; however, all proposals are from Republicans - similar measures have not been brought before the House or Senate for consideration, so it might be awhile before these proposals see the light of day. Senate President Cullerton has openly questioned whether scuttling Illinois' air fleet would save any money; I'll openly guess that, yes, it will. The sale of the aircraft alone would bring in around $22 million.

An interesting parallel contrasting state and City of Chicago government (relevant since the power base in state government is rooted - and in many cases intertwined with their Chicago contemporaries, as illustrated by the current proposal by Mayor Emanuel to require all Illinois gun owners to register their firearms):

Ignoring the better judgment of people who knew better, then-Mayor Daley was allowed to sell off Chicago's parking meters and the Chicago Skyway in order to reap a quick windfall a few years ago; this shortsighted sale reaped around a $1 billion windfall - which the city quickly spent to pay off their debts - but will cost the city untold billions above and beyond the upfront payment they received. Somehow the sale of the parking meters and Skyway were approved without hesitation. Meanwhile, the sale of a few aircraft can't even make it to the floor for discussion; instead, the planes and helicopters continue waiting at the ready in state hangars to schlep lawmakers back and forth to Springfield - all at taxpayer expense, of course.