Letters Secretary of state EDITORS: I note that the October edition of Illinois Issues carries an article containing the statement that the Secretary of State's post is important because it is a "major patronage office." I hasten to point out that one of my campaign pledges in the 1976 election was to seek a merit system of employment for the employees of the Office of Secretary of State. After the election, I fulfilled this promise by asking for a personnel code bill from the General Assembly. The legislature did pass a merit system bill (House Bill 182, P.A. 80-13) covering the employees of the secretary of state. The governor signed the bill. As of May 23, 1978, the personnel code for secretary of state employees became fully operational. This merit system is very much like the personnel code for the departments under the governor. Employees must pass exams relating to the position they are interested in, and once they serve a probationary period, they acquire job security. A Merit Commission — analogous in duties and responsibilities to the Civil Service Commission — is in place to protect employees. A Merit Advisory Board is available to suggest improvements in the code. I point all of this out to suggest that it is no longer apropos in Illinois to describe the secretry of state as one who presides over a "major patronage office." Today more than three-fourths of the secretary of state's full-time employees are covered by the personnel code. Illinois is coming of age in its approach to state government, and I am delighted to have played a major role in bringing the personnel code to the important office of secretary of state.
Alan J. Dixon
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