The Illinois Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. (IAPPO), a chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP), is a not-for-profit organization made up of Public Purchasing Officials throughout the State of Illinois. Our membership includes representatives from state and local government, as well as special districts and public education agencies who are concerned with professionalism and continuing education in the purchasing profession. IAPPO, which was chartered on October 26, 1977, with a membership of nine, has grown to over 300 members at present. IAPPO was incorporated on October 1, 1997, was granted 501.c.3 not-for-profit status by the Internal Revenue in April, 2000.

Our specific goals are as follows:

• To establish cooperative relationships among our members for the development of efficient purchasing methods and practices in the field of educational, governmental and public institutional procurement.
  
  
• To promote the interchange of ideas and experience within the purchasing profession.
  
  
• To promote professional competence through ongoing training and certification of those engaged in the purchasing profession.
  
  
• To assure the public (taxpayers) that the maximum effort is being made to spend their tax money wisely and in the most professional manner possible.
  
  
• To advance purchasing as a profession and encourage professionalism of our members.

Dear IAPPO members:

I am writing this letter to ask for the support of the membership to any of our members that may be affected by job loss in the proposed State of Illinois budget cuts. As many of you know, State programs are being drastically cut and over 2600 State employees are slated to receive layoff notices. In addition, there is potential for layoffs in our municipal, county and other governmental entities within the State of Illinois.

I would encourage any of you affected, to please remain strong in your professional education goals and reach out to your fellow purchasing professionals for support during this difficult time. If you have been affected by a job loss situation, please contact me.

And to the membership, please keep those affected in your prayers and thoughts. Tough times call for people to stand strong, and as purchasing professionals, we know how to weather the storm and remain standing.

Respectfully,
Catherine Link,
CPPB President-IAPPO : 7/9/09