A state lawmaker from the Springfield area has proposed legislation that would require most new and vacant state jobs be located in Sangamon County.

Republican state Rep. Sara Jimenez says her bill would make the capital city and the county the default location for state agency and governor’s office employees. A reason would have to be given explaining why a job needs to be located somewhere else.

Central Management Services acting director Mike Hoffman said in a March 2017 memo that the governor “has repeatedly committed to bring more state government functions to Springfield.”

Governor Rauner has not commented directly.

Jimenez says the move will be cost-effective and likely cut travel costs between Chicago and Springfield