SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Li Arellano, R-Dixon, has proposed Senate Bill 1719, a legislative proposal to modernize public records for local governments across Illinois.
According to a news release, the bill alters the Local Records Act to allow local governments to electronically keep public records, lowering costs and increasing efficiency.
Arellano based the proposal on his personal experiences as a municipal mayor, as well as conversations started by Peoria County at a January legislative brunch co-hosted by Peoria County, the city of Peoria, and the Peoria City/County Health Department.
Arellano serves the 37th Senate District, which spans Bureau, DeKalb, Henry, La Salle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Peoria, Rock Island, Stark, Whiteside, and Woodford counties.
“We must cut costs in Illinois,” Arellano stated. “As technology advances, it is critical that we give local governments with the ability to preserve documents in a secure and accessible manner. This bill allows local governments to transition away from obsolete and costly paper-based systems and toward a modern, digital approach.”
SB1719, by removing unnecessary hurdles to digital storage, gives local governments the tools they need to move to a more modern and cost-effective recording system, he added.
“Allowing electronic storage will help local governments operate more efficiently and transparently, benefiting both officials and residents,” Arellano told reporters. “This is already being done in court systems and is a commonsense update to our laws that aligns Illinois with the best practices in government record-keeping.”
