Frustrated by ongoing delays in the effort to modernize Illinois’ data storage systems, State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) is calling for a coordinated round-table meeting of state department leaders and technology officials to jumpstart the stalled migration to a centralized, cloud-based system.
“The Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) was created in 2016 to streamline and modernize how our state stores and manages information,” said Wilcox. “Nearly a decade later, it’s unacceptable that we’re still lagging behind on such a critical initiative.”
Wilcox, who served on the Senate Appropriations Committee from 2019 to 2024, said while some state agencies have begun migrating their files and transaction data, the process is severely behind schedule. The lack of standardization across agencies, particularly in how data is coded and categorized, has slowed integration and created complications for centralized management.
“This project has enormous potential to reduce costs and improve efficiency, which ultimately benefits Illinois taxpayers,” Wilcox added. “But we need leadership from the top. I’m disappointed by the lack of engagement from Governor Pritzker and his agency heads in prioritizing this work.”
Wilcox is also advocating for the use of modern artificial intelligence technology to help overcome data compatibility issues. He specifically cited the need for an AI-powered KPI (Key Performance Indicator) Analyzer to objectively assess progress, align disparate data systems, and accelerate the timeline.
“The longer we wait, the more we risk missing critical federal deadlines for compliance and auditing standards by 2027,” said Wilcox. “The tools exist. The benefits are clear. We just need every stakeholder at the table and serious commitment to move this forward.”
Wilcox emphasized that completing the migration could help reduce redundancies, improve transparency, and better protect taxpayer dollars.
“DoIT was established with the right vision, but vision alone isn’t enough. It’s time to act,” he concluded. “This isn’t about politics. It’s about fiscal responsibility and good government.”