A new push to privatize state government services is quietly gaining steam at the statehouse. Republicans, first lead by the Governor, are now seeking input on a number of proposals to cut back on services administered by state employees.

Bob Reed with The Better Government Association says that nothing is inherently wrong with privatization of government services but it needs to be handled correctly.

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Reed says plans are just starting to trickle out and they bear watching.

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The first attempt was proposing selling the Thompson Center in Chicago. Now Sen. Dave Syverson a Rockford Republican says the state can save money by setting up a private nursing home for aging inmates. Sen. Michael Connelly a Republican from Lisle wants to explore a private contractor handling property management.

The state has privatized services in the past, including a veterans home in Anna. That went so well over a seven year time span that Governor Rod Blagovich signed a bill to bring the operation of the facility back under state control.