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tion-based approach. For us, block- chain is the next generation of the internet. It is essentially an interoper- ability platform to work with trusted partners through distributed networks to complete transactions at a lower cost, which fundamentally changes our activities.
When citizens interact with govern- ment today, they are filling out a piece of paper or submitting a form online, but they don’t know where it goes. By leveraging blockchain, we can create a common, stored digital record that can be securely managed through a core process whether it is inside or outside the government.
Lawmakers in Illinois have struggled for close to two years to pass a bud- get to fund the state’s government. How has the lack of funding affected your technology work?
Not having a budget has actually been good for us because it forced people to start using technology. For example, previously we were spend- ing $20 million to mail out notifica- tions to citizens to renew their license plate stickers, and suddenly we didn’t have the budget for that. So we put the renewal process online, which en- abled a much cleaner interaction with citizens because they no longer need to fill out paperwork and send it back to us. They are able to get notifica- tions and reminders via email, which has improved our service.
Not having a budget forced us to become more efficient, so it has been sort of a godsend. We don’t want to stay in this position forever because we realize that there are things that still need to be resolved with our debt. In state government, there are political issues as well with legisla-
tive pressures, but despite that, we have been able to do some significant things around mobile initiatives and blockchain.
What do you hope to achieve this year with your blockchain use cases? The first use case that we are work- ing on is a partnership with Cook County that focuses on property deeds through blockchain. The initial results have been really positive, so we hope to introduce it in the next week or two into the actual produc- tion environment.
Our blockchain pilot is unique
in that we are doing five different proofs of concept with five business groups using five different types of technologies, so we are really trying to plant the seeds and see which of these products will help us move forward. •
By leveraging blockchain, we can create a common, stored digital record that can be securely managed through a core process whether it is inside or outside the government.
ILLINOIS CTO MIKE WONS
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