SPRINGFIELD- Chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) held a hearing today to address concerns over a nearly $100 million taxpayer-funded contract to a private company charged with creating online efficiency in state employee health insurance processing.

“In my opinion, this process was rushed. If I would have received one bidder for something of this magnitude I would have wanted to find more or expand the recruitment,” Lightford said.

Among the concerns addressed during this afternoon’s hearing were suggestions that the Rauner administration excluded state guidelines aimed at encouraging minority-owned business opportunities and may have given preference to a Georgia-based company, Morneau Shepell.

Central Management Services Director Mike Hoffman was called as a witness in the Executive Subcommittee on Special Issues to provide clarity on the process of awarding the Morneau Shepell contract.

“I am still concerned that there are no savings and that the company contracted does not have a substantial amount of Illinois employees. I would like to learn more about the company’s minority employment numbers and any reports they have submitted to the state on its progress with the health care portal,” Lightford said.

Lightford plans to continue looking into CMS’ contracting process and minority business outreach.