Tell Legislators: Pass GATA Cleanup Bill During Lame Duck Session (HB5889 / SB3983)
- PURPOSE: Updates GATA for first time since it was created. Conforms to new higher federal de minimus rate and new higher single audit threshold; expands definition of direct admin; requires more outreach to partners in underserved communities; plus, other improvements
- SUPPORTED BY: Forefront, Illinois Health and Human Services Coalition, Governor's Office of Management and Budget (GOMB)
- IMPACT: Will improve the process of applying for and managing government grants in practical ways, and give providers more flexibility
- EQUITY NOTE: Organizations with the smallest budgets and serving Communities of Color are the most likely to face challenges with the State’s contracting and payment systems per 2023 survey
Background:
When GATA was first passed 10 years ago, it was intended to standardize grant and contract processes across state government. In reality, multiple processes continue to proliferate across agencies, and there has not been a comprehensive update to related statutes since the original enactment of GATA. In 2024, we introduced the Community Partner Fair Contracting Act, which was sweeping legislation intended to reduce confusion and create administrative efficiencies among all State agencies and contractors/grantees. That bill was amended but did not pass. HB5889/SB3983 was introduced to make progress in areas of agreement with GOMB and would represent the first step in reforming state contracting. This is an agreed bill; it has no opposition and should pass easily but requires a vehicle and support from legislative leadership for it to be enacted in lame duck.