SPRINGFILED, IL - Reducing wasteful spending and improving efficiency have been top priorities for State Sen. Michael Bond (D-Grayslake) since he took office. Bond continued to champion these causes this week when Governor Quinn signed into law a new legislative initiative that will review the costs to maintain township road districts.

As the sponsor of Senate Bill 3592, Bond has worked tirelessly to promote the efficient and necessary spending of state funds. Under the new law, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will conduct a study of township road districts in Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage and Will Counties to see if funding for these roads is being utilized efficiently.

"The study will cover a small sampling of our state," Bond said. "If it becomes obvious that there are rampant inefficiencies, we will look to address this matter throughout the rest of the state."

"Township road districts" refer to roads which are part of the township and district road system as defined by the Illinois Highway Code. Many of these districts are overseen by individuals who are earning substantial salaries for maintaining very insignificant stretches of the roadway.

"Maintaining safe roads in our state is extremely important, but we need to ensure that the money we are allocating for services and management of our roads is being spent effectively," Bond said. "If the study finds that there is an abundance of abuses taking place, we will make every effort to correct these inefficiencies and reallocate the funding for its most important cause – taking care of the roads."

The report will be delivered to the governor and General Assembly no later than December 31, 2010.