Illinois Makes Dramatic Improvement in Technology Rating

SPRINGFIELD, IL - In an announcement today at the 2016 National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Conference in Orlando, Florida, the Center for Digital Government named Illinois as one of the most improved states in the country for technology and innovation. In just 18 months, Illinois has moved from the bottom quarter to the top third of all 50 states.

"The rise in Illinois' technology rating is a direct outcome of the dedication we have to modernizing and transforming technology for our citizens," Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner commented.  "Our staff at the newly formed Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) works to improve efficiencies and simplify the ways our citizens can access the services and information they need."

DoIT was formed through Executive Order 16-01, which created a new state agency with responsibility for the information technology functions of agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor. Led by Hardik Bhatt, State CIO and Secretary Designate, DoIT was officially launched on July 1, 2016.

"Our team is elated by NASCIO's national recognition of our efforts. The Digital States Survey rating increase is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our DoIT staff," said Bhatt. "Our organization works tirelessly to update legacy systems, find opportunities for enterprise solutions and improve citizen interactions through mobile technology. This is an opportunity to innovate and leapfrog to new technology and management practices, and we continue to take advantage of it. There is much more progress to come as we work toward our goal of an A+ rating."

The Center for Digital Government Digital States Survey provides a common reference for all 50 states by providing benchmarks to assess state governments' use of digital technologies. It also examines and scores how states are finding better ways to conduct the public's business through innovative solutions. The next biennial survey will be released in 2018.

Click here for a video discussion of the survey results from Hardik Bhatt, Illinois State CIO and Secretary Designate for the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT).