State Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry) applauds the Governor on signing House Bill 4689, which improves upon the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA)—an initiative that Sen. Althoff played a large role in creating.
Fully implemented for more than a year, GATA is a national model that Sen. Althoff says implements uniform guidelines and standards to increase transparency and accountability in the administration of federal and state grants.
“Since its inception, GATA has led the nation in implementation of statewide grant management, saving the state millions of dollars,” said Sen. Althoff. “With grants comprising approximately 66 percent of the state’s annual budget, it is vital that Illinois has a system that makes it easier for entities to do business in Illinois. GATA establishes one set of uniform grant requirements regardless of the source of funding, and utilizes web-based automation to reduce costs and increase efficiencies to Illinois taxpayers.”
As of Jan. 1, 2018, GATA has provided Illinois with cost savings of approximately $236 million.
“I am extremely proud to have been apart of GATA’s creation and have enjoyed working with my colleagues on further legislation, such as House Bill 4689, helping to create the wonderful grant system that is now a model for the rest of the country,” Sen. Althoff said.